Trump Nominates Dr. Susan Monarez to Lead CDC Amid Health Challenges

ATLANTA, Georgia — President Donald Trump has decided to nominate Dr. Susan Monarez as the new head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), according to sources close to the decision reported by CBS News. Monarez, who has been serving as the acting director, is set to replace Dr. David Weldon, whose nomination was recently withdrawn due to a lack of Senate support.

An official from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which oversees the CDC, confirmed Monarez’s impending nomination. White House spokespeople did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Monarez’s selection reportedly comes in light of a competitive search for the role, which included former Texas Congressman Michael Burgess and Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo being suggested by Weldon. If confirmed, Monarez would be the first CDC director required to be voted on by the Senate, following recent congressional changes to the nomination process.

Monarez previously served as the deputy director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, indicating her strong background in health policy and research. Despite being considered an unconventional choice, she has established a working relationship with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which some officials see as positive for her potential confirmation.

In her acting role, Monarez has been involved in significant decisions at the CDC, including handling controversial actions such as the delay of a meeting involving outside vaccine advisers. These issues are likely to arise during her confirmation hearings, especially concerning the extensive debates around vaccine safety and public health responses.

The CDC is currently facing numerous health threats, including outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases concentrated in underserved communities. Experts anticipate that Monarez will need to address the conflicting views surrounding health expert criticism of her department’s responses to the outbreaks.

Nominees for other key health agencies, such as the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration, are also expected to progress swiftly through the confirmation process after recent hearings.

With a budget of $17.3 billion, the Atlanta-based CDC plays a pivotal role in safeguarding public health, responding to threats both domestic and foreign. Monarez would be directly reporting to Secretary Kennedy should she be confirmed.

The appointment of Monarez is expected to draw attention as she navigates confirmation and addresses pressing issues facing the CDC.