Trump Nominates Susan Monarez as First Senate-Confirmed CDC Director

Monarez, currently acting CDC director, is set to undergo Senate confirmation as the agency tackles public health crises and vaccine skepticism.

President Donald Trump has officially nominated Dr. Susan Monarez to serve as the permanent director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), replacing withdrawn nominee David Weldon.
Monarez, who has been acting director since January 2025, will be the first CDC director to require Senate confirmation under a 2022 law aimed at increasing accountability.
Her nomination follows the withdrawal of David Weldon, whose vaccine skepticism and lack of Senate support led to his removal from consideration earlier this month.
Monarez's tenure at the CDC has included controversial decisions, such as workforce reductions and plans to research vaccine-autism links, which are expected to face scrutiny during the confirmation process.
The CDC is currently addressing urgent health challenges, including a growing measles outbreak and broader concerns over vaccine skepticism in underserved communities.