President Trump has selected Susan Monares, the acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to permanently lead the agency.
Replacing his initial choice, Dr. Dave Weldon, the president nominated infectious disease researcher Dr. Monares for the position, making her the first non-physician to lead the agency in over 50 years if confirmed by the Senate.
In an article for The Truth Society, President Trump explained that the CDC’s loss of trust was due to political bias and mismanagement, and expressed confidence that Dr. Monares, along with health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., would address the current disease outbreak and restore agency accountability.
Trump praised Dr. Monares as an exceptional mother and dedicated civil servant, underscoring her understanding of the importance of safeguarding children, communities, and the future.
Dr. Monares, who assumed the role of acting director shortly after Trump’s inauguration in January, previously served as the deputy director of a new federal biomedical research institute established during the Biden administration.
Initially expected to hold the position until Dr. Weldon’s confirmation, Dr. Monares now stands as Trump’s nominee after the withdrawal of Dr. Weldon, who reportedly failed to impress Senate Republicans with his plans.
Dr. Monares’ expertise in biosecurity, including her endorsement of the Covid vaccine, may signal a shift in attitudes toward anti-vaccine sentiments, differentiating her from Dr. Weldon, who raised concerns within the medical community.
Dr. George Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association, commended Dr. Monares as a respected infectious disease expert with solid research credentials and a keen understanding of the role of public health in government.
While praised for her expertise, Dr. Monares faces criticism for her absence at the CDC’s headquarters in Atlanta, with concerns raised by employees regarding communication and agency operations.
Allegedly, the comment section on the agency’s internal website was removed after staff expressed a desire for more engagement from Dr. Monares, who reportedly follows presidential directives with minimal input from agency directors.
Reportedly serving as a conduit for directives from the White House and the Department of Health and Human Services, Dr. Monares has been involved in agency cost-cutting efforts and compliance with Trump administration orders.
During directives to remove specific content from CDC websites under the Trump administration, Dr. Monares allegedly complied without resistance or efforts to preserve valuable data.
Source: www.nytimes.com
