Trump is expected to name a new CDC head. 'We don't need a TV personality,' one expert said.
Source: NBC News
March 24, 2026, 5:39 PM EDT
As the Trump administration prepares to nominate a new director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, insiders say they worry the nominee will only further undermine trust in the nations top health agency, even as outbreaks of measles escalate and the federal governments vaccine policies face resistance.
President Donald Trump is expected to name the candidate on Truth Social by Wednesday. If confirmed by the Senate, the director will inherit an agency marked by the yearlong chaos of mass layoffs, a deadly shooting and hollowed-out leadership. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the CDCs current acting director, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, have long been critical of the CDC, largely focusing on Covid missteps, but havent offered ways to support or strengthen the agency, CDC staffers said.
I dont disagree with the thought that weve lost a lot of trust, but I think it falls a little flat for leaders to ask us to rebuild trust, one senior official said. Its a two-way street. The person asked not to be identified for fear of retribution. They keep saying over and over again that CDC has a lot of work to do to earn back the publics trust, said another scientist who also asked not to be identified. I dont think blaming the civil service employee is the way to fix that.
The White House and the Department of Health and Human Services have been mum on potential nominees. The Washington Post reported that Mississippi health director Dr. Daniel Edney is on a short list of names.
Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/trump-cdc-director-nominate-vaccination-measles-rcna261938
markodochartaigh
(5,524 posts)Dr Pepper.
twodogsbarking
(18,681 posts)markodochartaigh
(5,524 posts)I remember that commercial well. I had such a crush on David Naughton!
Irish_Dem
(81,126 posts)Across the board in all parts of the US government.
Who benefits and how?
johnnyfins
(3,748 posts)"Public's trust"?
BumRushDaShow
(169,343 posts)a tacit admission by the GOP in Congress that they fucked it up, even more than they intended (where it is finally impacting themselves and their families)?
Would be rare admission for these zombies.
Javaman
(65,683 posts)lonely bird
(2,931 posts)The state that is dead last in health outcomes?
Ritabert
(2,411 posts)BattleRow
(2,409 posts)Dead is the operative word,there.
Is this a feature and not a bug?