Trump to Nominate Schwartz to Lead CDC, Signaling Return to Traditional Public Health Approach
President Trump announced his intention to nominate Erica Schwartz, who served as Deputy Surgeon General during the pandemic, to lead the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This nomination is seen as a move towards a more traditional public health approach amidst the CDC's recent leadership turmoil. The White House is shifting its policy focus from controversial vaccine policies to more popular issues like drug price reduction and food safety. If confirmed, Schwartz will lead the Atlanta-based agency.
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- 📰 Published: April 17, 2026 at 10:45
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Washington, April 16, comprehensive foreign report) U.S. President Trump announced today that he will nominate Erica Schwartz, who served as Deputy Surgeon General during the pandemic, to be the director of the "U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention" (CDC), an agency that has faced multiple leadership changes recently.
Reuters reported that Schwartz participated in the federal government's fight against COVID-19 (2019 coronavirus disease) during Trump's first term, helping to coordinate national pandemic preparedness and public health measures.
For the controversial Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Schwartz is seen as a traditional choice. The White House is trying to shift its policy focus to more popular issues such as lowering drug prices and food safety, rather than Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s controversial vaccine policies.
This move by the Republican Party is also in preparation for the difficult situation faced in the November midterm elections. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. largely avoided questions related to vaccines at a congressional hearing today.
If Schwartz is approved, she will lead the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an agency responsible for monitoring and addressing domestic and international public health threats. The director traditionally has the final say on U.S. vaccine policy.
Schwartz will report to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has long questioned vaccine safety and whose stance on vaccines deviates from established scientific consensus.
Trump dismissed former CDC Director Susan Monarez in August last year because she opposed Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s planned adjustments to vaccine policy.
Schwartz has no clear public stance on vaccines, but she has been praised by some former public health officials who criticized Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s vaccine policies.
Polls show that most voters do not support Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s approach to reforming childhood vaccination schedules.
Sources indicate that after Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appointed several controversial political figures, eroding public trust in vaccines, the White House sought a more traditional candidate for relevant key positions. (Compiler: Qu Xiangping) 1150417
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(Central News Agency, Washington, April 16, comprehensive foreign report) U.S. President Trump announced today that he will nominate Erica Schwartz, who served as Deputy Surgeon General during the pandemic, to be the director of the "U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention" (CDC), an agency that has faced multiple leadership changes recently.
Reuters reported that Schwartz participated in the federal government's fight against COVID-19 (2019 coronavirus disease) during Trump's first term, helping to coordinate national pandemic preparedness and public health measures.
For the controversial Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Schwartz is seen as a traditional choice. The White House is trying to shift its policy focus to more popular issues such as lowering drug prices and food safety, rather than Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s controversial vaccine policies.
This move by the Republican Party is also in preparation for the difficult situation faced in the November midterm elections. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. largely avoided questions related to vaccines at a congressional hearing today.
If Schwartz is approved, she will lead the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an agency responsible for monitoring and addressing domestic and international public health threats. The director traditionally has the final say on U.S. vaccine policy.
Schwartz will report to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has long questioned vaccine safety and whose stance on vaccines deviates from established scientific consensus.
Trump dismissed former CDC Director Susan Monarez in August last year because she opposed Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s planned adjustments to vaccine policy.
Schwartz has no clear public stance on vaccines, but she has been praised by some former public health officials who criticized Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s vaccine policies.
Polls show that most voters do not support Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s approach to reforming childhood vaccination schedules.
Sources indicate that after Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appointed several controversial political figures, eroding public trust in vaccines, the White House sought a more traditional candidate for relevant key positions. (Compiler: Qu Xiangping) 1150417
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the CNA "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.
FAQ
Why is President Trump nominating Erica Schwartz to lead the CDC?
Schwartz has experience in the Trump administration's COVID-19 response and is seen as a choice that signals a return to traditional public health approaches. The White House is also shifting its policy focus to more popular issues like drug price reduction and food safety, away from controversial vaccine policies.
What is Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s stance on vaccine policy?
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has long questioned vaccine safety, and his stance on vaccines deviates from established scientific consensus. He had planned adjustments to vaccine policy, which led to the dismissal of the former CDC director who opposed them.