• President Trump nominates Dr. Erica Schwartz to lead the CDC.
• Schwartz previously served as Deputy Surgeon General and has extensive military experience.
• The CDC has faced recent leadership turmoil, including the ousting of former director Susan Monarez.

President Trump has announced the nomination of Dr. Erica Schwartz to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Schwartz, who served as Deputy Surgeon General during Trump's first administration and has a strong military background as a Coast Guard rear admiral, brings a wealth of experience in public health, including her involvement in the federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Trump highlighted her qualifications, stating, "She is a STAR!" in a social media post according to CBS News, Reuters, BBC, and NPR.

The nomination comes amid considerable upheaval within the CDC, which has been without a confirmed leader for most of Trump's second term following the ousting of Susan Monarez. Monarez faced dismissal over vaccine policy disagreements with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The agency has endured significant changes under Kennedy's leadership, including restructuring and a mission to address vaccine skepticism among constituents according to CBS News, Reuters, BBC, and NPR.

In addition to Schwartz, Trump announced other key appointments within the CDC, including Sean Slovenski and Dr. Jennifer Shuford, both of whom bring substantial experience in public health and management. Trump's post emphasized that this team is tasked with restoring high scientific standards at the CDC, which has faced difficulty in the public eye CBS News, Reuters, BBC, and NPR.