Trump Pulls CDC Nominee David Weldon Amid Vaccine Concerns/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Trump administration withdrew David Weldon’s nomination for CDC director after it became clear he lacked Senate support. Weldon, a former Florida congressman, has been linked to anti-vaccine rhetoric and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s health secretary. Sen. Patty Murray criticized Weldon for promoting debunked vaccine claims, calling his views “dangerous”.
Trump Administration Pulls CDC Nominee David Weldon – Quick Looks
- Nomination Withdrawn: The White House pulled David Weldon’s nomination for CDC director after realizing he wouldn’t be confirmed.
- Ties to RFK Jr.: Weldon was seen as aligned with U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a leading anti-vaccine advocate.
- Vaccine Controversy: Weldon has questioned vaccine safety and criticized the CDC’s immunization policies.
- Democratic Opposition: Sen. Patty Murray accused Weldon of spreading false vaccine claims, making his appointment a public health risk.
- Hearing Canceled: The Senate health committee immediately scrapped Weldon’s confirmation hearing after the withdrawal.
- Trump’s Third Failed Nominee: Weldon joins Matt Gaetz (Attorney General) and Chad Chronister (DEA) as nominees who failed to reach confirmation.
- Future of CDC Leadership: With Weldon out, Trump’s search for a CDC director continues, raising questions about the agency’s direction.
Deep Look: Trump Administration Withdraws David Weldon’s CDC Nomination Over Vaccine Stance
Nomination Pulled as Senate Support Fades
The Trump administration abruptly withdrew the nomination of Dr. David Weldon to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) after realizing he lacked the votes for Senate confirmation.
- The Senate health committee canceled Weldon’s confirmation hearing, which was scheduled for this week.
- A White House insider, speaking anonymously, confirmed the decision was based on insufficient support from lawmakers.
- The withdrawal marks another high-profile failure for the Trump administration in filling top government positions.
“Weldon simply didn’t have the votes,” said a Senate staffer familiar with the process.
Weldon’s Vaccine Views Spark Backlash
Weldon’s nomination sparked immediate controversy due to his history of questioning vaccines and his alignment with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime anti-vaccine activist.
- Weldon has previously suggested that childhood vaccines contain unsafe levels of mercury, despite scientific evidence proving otherwise.
- He has also criticized the CDC, questioning its handling of vaccine safety and immunization schedules.
- His links to Kennedy Jr., who has spent years spreading vaccine misinformation, raised red flags among public health experts.
Sen. Patty Murray: “Dangerous” Choice for CDC
Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) publicly opposed Weldon, citing his vaccine skepticism as a major disqualifier.
“I was deeply disturbed to hear Dr. Weldon repeat debunked claims about vaccines,” Murray said in a statement.
- She warned that putting someone with anti-vaccine beliefs in charge of the CDC could jeopardize public health efforts.
- Her opposition signaled that Democratic lawmakers were unlikely to support Weldon’s confirmation, making his withdrawal inevitable.
Third Failed Trump Nominee in Recent Months
Weldon is the third Trump administration nominee to be withdrawn before confirmation, following:
- Matt Gaetz, who withdrew as nominee for Attorney General.
- Chad Chronister, whose nomination for Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) chief was pulled.
With yet another failed nomination, the Trump administration faces increasing scrutiny over its vetting process and ability to fill key leadership roles.
What’s Next? Trump Seeks a New CDC Director
With Weldon out, the CDC remains without a permanent leader, raising concerns about:
- How Trump will approach vaccine policies amid ongoing public health challenges.
- Whether the next nominee will face similar controversy over health and science views.
- How long it will take to fill the CDC’s top position, given the administration’s recent struggles with confirmations.
As the Trump administration scrambles to find a replacement, public health experts urge the White House to select a nominee rooted in scientific integrity, rather than political ideology.
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