Trump Announces Dave Weldon as Nominee for CDC Director

CHICAGO, Nov 22 (Reuters) – President-elect Donald Trump has announced his intention to nominate Dave Weldon, a former congressman and medical doctor, as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This agency, recognized globally for its public health initiatives, operates with a budget of $17.3 billion. Trump praised Weldon, stating, «Dave will proudly restore the CDC to its true purpose, and will work to end the Chronic Disease Epidemic.»

Weldon, 71, has a background in both politics and medicine, having served as a representative of Florida‘s 15th district from 1995 until 2009 and choosing not to seek reelection. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army and has over 40 years of experience as a medical doctor. His congressional roles included participation in the Labor/HHS Appropriations Subcommittee, where he advocated for accountability in Health and Human Services (HHS) and CDC policy and budgeting.

The CDC, established in 1946 to address the spread of malaria in the United States, now provides leadership in disease prevention and control, alongside managing public health threats from infectious diseases. Significantly, it advises on the use of licensed vaccines through the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, whose recommendations are subject to the director’s approval.

Currently, the CDC director’s position does not require Senate confirmation. However, beginning in 2025, nominees for this role will face Senate approval, following a provision in a recent omnibus budget. Weldon will succeed Dr. Mandy Cohen, the outgoing director and former head of North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services.

Weldon’s nomination comes in a period when public trust in federal health agencies has been challenged, as Trump remarked that Americans «have lost trust in the CDC and in our Federal Health Authorities.» He asserted that «the CDC must step up and correct past errors to focus on the Prevention of Disease.»

The CDC has approximately 12,000 full-time employees and a discretionary budget of $9.248 billion for 2024. Trump has also emphasized the role of the CDC in equipping Americans with knowledge and resources to combat and understand diseases effectively.