Trump Administration Withdraws Nomination Of Vaccine Skeptic Dave Weldon For Director Of CDC

The Trump Administration has withdrawn its nomination of Dave Weldon, a former Republican congressman and vaccine skeptic, to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The decision came just hours before Weldon was set to testify before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee.

Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently expressed doubts about Weldon’s readiness for the role, but Weldon claimed that Kennedy was “very upset” about his withdrawal.

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Weldon had previously suggested a connection between mercury in vaccines and autism, a claim widely discredited by scientists and public health officials. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) considered voting against Weldon following a meeting between the two where she questioned his past statements on vaccines. Other Republican senators also raised concerns, particularly over Weldon’s lack of preparation for the role, such as when he reportedly told senators he would develop a strategy only after taking office. 

Unlike Kennedy, who faced similar questions about his own controversial vaccine views, Weldon’s positions proved too extreme for some Republicans. HELP Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana) backed Kennedy but ultimately requested that the White House pull Weldon’s nomination. 

Despite the withdrawal, Weldon defended his qualifications and blamed political pressure for the decision. “The president is a busy man doing good work for our nation, and the last thing he needs is a controversy about CDC,” he said. With Weldon’s nomination officially pulled, the White House is now searching for a new candidate to lead the CDC.