Trump Nominates Dr. Susan Monarez as CDC Director to Restore Trust and Reform Public Health System
In a significant move aimed at restoring public trust in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), President Donald Trump has nominated Dr. Susan Monarez to lead the agency. The announcement, made Monday via Truth Social, signals a shift in CDC leadership toward transparency, innovation, and accountability under the new administration.
A New Era for the CDC
Dr. Monarez brings decades of experience in public health, microbiology, and immunology, with a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin and postdoctoral training at Stanford University School of Medicine. She has built a career on championing disease prevention, innovation, and strong public health systems—values President Trump emphasized in his statement.
“Dr. Monarez understands the importance of protecting our children, our communities, and our future. Americans have lost confidence in the CDC due to political bias and disastrous mismanagement. Dr. Monarez will work closely with our GREAT Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert Kennedy Jr., to prioritize accountability, high standards, and disease prevention. Together, they will finally address the Chronic Disease Epidemic and MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN!” — President Trump, Truth Social
The Controversy Behind the Previous CDC Nominee
Dr. Monarez’s nomination follows the withdrawal of former Congressman Dr. David Weldon, whom Trump originally selected for the role. Weldon’s confirmation was derailed by opposition from Republican Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA).
“Just twelve hours before my scheduled confirmation hearing, I received a phone call from the White House notifying me that my nomination had been withdrawn due to insufficient votes for confirmation.” — Dr. David Weldon
Weldon stated that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. strongly supported his nomination, but opposition within the Republican establishment ultimately led to his removal.
Reforming a Politicized CDC
The CDC came under intense scrutiny during the COVID-19 pandemic for its inconsistent policies, political bias, and overreach of authority under former Director Rochelle Walensky.
- Eviction Moratorium: Walensky unilaterally imposed a 60-day moratorium on evictions, claiming it was a public health measure—despite lacking congressional authorization. The Supreme Court later struck down the order.
- Masking Policies: Walensky was instrumental in child masking mandates, a decision that many experts now argue caused more harm than good to children’s education and development.
- Misinformation on Vaccines: She reversed course on vaccine effectiveness, admitting that vaccinated individuals could still spread COVID-19, despite earlier claims to the contrary.
A Strong Team: Monarez and RFK Jr.
Dr. Monarez will work alongside Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert Kennedy Jr., a staunch critic of Big Pharma and public health mismanagement. With Monarez’s scientific background and RFK Jr.’s legal and public advocacy, the administration aims to rebuild public confidence in health agencies, focusing on:
- Chronic disease prevention
- Ensuring medical freedom and transparency
- Reversing politically driven public health policies
- Holding bureaucrats accountable for past failures
What’s Next?
With Dr. Monarez now awaiting confirmation, political insiders expect Democrat opposition due to the administration’s aggressive approach to dismantling the old public health bureaucracy. However, with Trump’s firm backing and RFK Jr.’s influence, she is expected to spearhead major reforms at the CDC.
President Trump’s decision to clean house at the CDC is yet another example of his commitment to fixing the broken institutions that failed the American people during the pandemic.
