Trump nominates Susan Monarez for CDC director
President Donald Trump has selected the current acting director of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to permanently lead the agency.
In a social media post, Trump made official the nomination of Susan Monarez, PhD, who has been heading up CDC operations since January and previously served as the deputy director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) during Joe Biden’s administration.
Part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ARPA-H is responsible for investing in "breakthrough technologies and broadly applicable platforms, capabilities, resources, and solutions that have the potential to transform important areas of medicine and health for the benefit of all patients and that cannot readily be accomplished through traditional research or commercial activity,” per its mission statement.
Monarez is an unusual pick for the role of CDC director, as the position is usually filled by medical doctors. However, Trump’s previous choice, former congressman David Weldon, MD, was withdrawn over concerns he would not be confirmed by the Senate.
Trump said he chose Monarez because of her history of public service and commitment to the “Make America Healthy Again” agenda of the administration.
“As an incredible mother and dedicated public servant, Dr. Monarez understands the importance of protecting our children, our communities, and our future,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “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. Together, they will prioritize accountability, high standards, and disease prevention to finally address the chronic disease epidemic and Make America Healthy Again!”
Monarez will be the first head of the CDC to be voted on by the Senate. Prior to a rules change passed by Congress in 2022, the appointment was filled without approval.
A hearing date for her confirmation has yet to be announced.
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