Trump Nominates Dr. Susan Monarez as CDC Director

President Trump nominates Dr. Susan Monarez for CDC director after withdrawing former nominee, David Weldon. Monarez, previously with the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, has been the acting director since January. The CDC, headquartered in Atlanta, plays a vital role in global disease control.

President Donald Trump has announced the nomination of Dr. Susan Monarez as the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), confirmed a White House official on Monday. Monarez, who has been leading the agency on an interim basis, is set to formally assume the role.

Earlier this month, Trump withdrew the nomination of his first choice, David Weldon, citing insufficient backing from lawmakers. Weldon, a former Congressman from Florida and associated with anti-vaccine advocate Robert F Kennedy Jr., acknowledged the lack of votes as the cause for the withdrawal.

The CDC, headquartered in Atlanta with a $9.2 billion budget, was initially established to combat malaria in the United States. Over the years, it has evolved into a prominent institution addressing both infectious and chronic diseases globally, serving as an invaluable resource for health information.

(With inputs from agencies.)