President Donald Trump announced on Monday his nomination of Dr. Susan Monarez to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A White House official confirmed the selection, following Trump’s earlier withdrawal of David Weldon’s nomination due to insufficient Senate support.
Monarez’s nomination is notable because, following a 2022 law change, she would be the first CDC director to require Senate confirmation. Previous directors could assume leadership immediately after presidential appointment.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Monarez’s background departs from the norm, as previous interim directors typically rose from within the CDC’s ranks. While not a physician, she holds a Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology. She has served in government since 2006, under both Republican and Democratic administrations.
Monarez previously held key positions in the U.S. government, including deputy director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), where she spearheaded initiatives in artificial intelligence and health technology. She has also held roles at the Department of Homeland Security and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
Trump, on his Truth Social platform, stated, “I am proud to announce that Dr. Susan Monarez is my Nominee to serve as the next Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)… Dr. Monarez will work closely with our GREAT Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert Kennedy Jr. Together, they will prioritize Accountability, High Standards, and Disease Prevention to finally address the Chronic Disease Epidemic and, MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN!”
Monarez is likely to face scrutiny during her confirmation hearings. Potential areas of focus include her responses to current public health challenges, such as the rise in measles cases attributed to undervaccination, and her stance on Health Secretary Robert Kennedy’s statements about vaccines. Workforce reductions at the CDC, possibly cutting up to 30 percent of staff, are also expected to be examined.
Newsweek reached out to the CDC on Monday for comment.
