President-elect Donald Trump has tapped Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, a Stanford-trained physician and economist known for his criticism of Dr. Anthony Fauci, to lead the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The announcement came late Tuesday, signaling a potential shift in the agency’s direction under Bhattacharya’s leadership.
Bhattacharya, who gained national attention for his critiques of pandemic-era policies, reportedly met Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., earlier this week. Sources close to the discussions revealed that Kennedy was impressed with Bhattacharya’s plans to overhaul the NIH, emphasizing innovation and accountability.
JUST IN: Donald Trump nominates Dr. Fauci critic Jay Bhattacharya to Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 27, 2024
Bhattacharya reportedly met with RFK Jr. this week and impressed him with his vision to overhaul the NIH.
According to the Washington Post, Bhattacharya has… pic.twitter.com/gifPf3vQJZ
According to The Washington Post, Bhattacharya outlined his vision for the agency, advocating for a renewed focus on funding groundbreaking research and reducing the influence of entrenched career officials.
Additional coverage by Fox News suggests that Bhattacharya’s appointment reflects the administration’s intention to challenge established norms at the NIH, prioritizing transparency and the pursuit of cutting-edge scientific advancements:
Trump made the announcement in a Truth Social post, writing: “I am thrilled to nominate Jay Bhattacharya, MD, PhD, to serve as Director of the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Bhattacharya will work in cooperation with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to direct the Nation’s Medical Research, and to make important discoveries that will improve Health, and save lives.”
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The NIH also awards funding grants to hundreds of thousands of researchers, oversees clinical trials on its Maryland campus and supports a variety of efforts to develop drugs and therapeutics.
The nominee for the NIH director must be confirmed by the Senate, which will have a Republican majority beginning in January.
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Kennedy Jr. has played a central role in choosing top health care staff and deputies for Trump’s next administration, including Johns Hopkins surgeon Marty Makary, who Trump selected to lead the Food and Drug Administration, and internal medicine physician and former Republican congressman from Florida Dave Weldon, who Trump chose to head the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to the report.
The move comes amid heightened scrutiny of federal health agencies, as the public and policymakers alike debate the best path forward for managing future health crises following criticism of the COVID-19 lockdowns.
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Perfect! Great choice!
Lets get to the bottom of Covid source once and for all.