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Trump Nominates Dr. Susan Monarez for CDC Director in Historic Senate-Confirmed Role

Dr. Monarez, currently serving as acting CDC head, faces scrutiny over her unconventional background and controversial decisions.

US President Donald Trump (L) and US Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (2nd L) look on as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks after being sworn in as Secretary of Health and Human Services in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 13, 2025.
Dr. Susan Monarez
The exterior of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention campus in Chamblee, Ga., March 18, 2025.
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Overview

  • Dr. Susan Monarez has been nominated by President Trump to serve as the next director of the CDC, replacing the withdrawn nominee Dr. David Weldon.
  • If confirmed, Monarez will become the first CDC director to require Senate confirmation under a 2022 legislative change.
  • Monarez has served as the acting head of the CDC since January 2025, following her role as deputy director at ARPA-H.
  • Her nomination has raised concerns due to her unconventional background outside the CDC's career ranks and involvement in controversial decisions, including vaccine research delays.
  • The CDC continues to face pressing challenges, including a measles outbreak in undervaccinated communities, a growing bird flu threat, and impending workforce reductions of up to 30%.