Official budget documents from the U.S. Congress

Trump's CDC Nominee Weldon, Proposed by RFK Jr., Faces Criticism Over Anti-Vaccine Views

Dec 16, 2024, 11:30 AM

Former Congressman Dave Weldon, nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to head the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has a history of promoting the debunked theory that vaccines cause autism. This stance has raised concerns among public health experts regarding his suitability to lead the CDC, an agency responsible for making vaccine recommendations. Weldon's nomination was proposed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his anti-vaccine views. Critics argue that Weldon's views could undermine the CDC's mission and public trust in vaccine safety. Weldon, who lost a primary for the Florida state House by 30 points earlier this year, is seen by some as an unsuitable choice for the role. The CDC, under outgoing Director Mandy Cohen, has been defending its wide focus on public health issues amidst calls for an overhaul from GOP members and the incoming Trump administration. Cohen has been attempting to calm staff anxieties about potential changes under Weldon's leadership, emphasizing the agency's progress since the Covid-19 pandemic and its continued commitment to its mission. The CDC faces a proposed 22% budget cut from Congress, with critics like the Make America Healthy Movement advocating for a narrower focus on infectious diseases.