President Trump Nominates Erica Schwartz as CDC Director Amid Agency Turmoil
President Donald Trump has nominated Erica Schwartz, a former deputy surgeon general, to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, pending Senate confirmation.
President Donald Trump has nominated Erica Schwartz, a former deputy surgeon general, to serve as the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Schwartz's nomination is subject to Senate confirmation.
Schwartz, a retired rear admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, previously served as deputy surgeon general during Trump's first term. She has also held leadership roles in the U.S. Coast Guard, including chief medical officer. In a social media post, President Trump described Schwartz as "incredibly talented" and referred to her as "a STAR!"
The CDC has experienced significant leadership changes and internal challenges in recent months. The previous director, Susan Monarez, was dismissed in August after a brief tenure, following disagreements with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over vaccine policy changes.
Schwartz's nomination comes amid ongoing debates over vaccine policies and efforts to restore stability within the CDC. If confirmed, she will be tasked with leading the agency through these complex issues.