Tue Dec 03 00:09:35 UTC 2024: **Trump Nominates Controversial Figures to Lead Key Health Agencies**

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump has nominated three individuals with controversial views on public health to lead key federal agencies. Dr. Marty Makary, a Johns Hopkins professor known for his opposition to vaccine mandates and promotion of herd immunity during the COVID-19 pandemic, is tapped to head the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Former Republican Rep. Dave Weldon of Florida, who has a history of questioning vaccine safety, will lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Fox News contributor Janette Nesheiwat is nominated for Surgeon General.

These nominations align with Trump’s previous choice for Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who shares similar anti-vaccine sentiments. Makary’s appointment to the FDA, responsible for drug and vaccine approvals, is particularly concerning to public health experts given his past statements questioning the need for masking and COVID-19 booster shots for children.

Weldon’s nomination to lead the CDC, an agency responsible for protecting Americans from disease outbreaks, also raises concerns. His past efforts to link a vaccine preservative to autism and his votes to defund needle-exchange programs and the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control have fueled criticism.

Nesheiwat, a frequent Fox News contributor, will oversee the U.S. Public Health Service Corps. While her specific views on public health policy remain to be seen, her close association with Trump and her presence on a partisan network have sparked debate.

The nominations are expected to face significant opposition from Democrats and public health advocates who are alarmed by the potential for a rollback of crucial public health measures and a shift towards policies based on unsubstantiated claims. Confirmation hearings will provide a crucial forum for examining the nominees’ qualifications and positions on critical public health issues.

Read More