President-elect Donald Trump is making headlines again, this time with his choice for the next Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Former Rep. Dave Weldon (R-FL) is the man for the job, and it’s safe to say his nomination is sending all the right signals to conservatives and all the wrong ones to the bureaucratic health establishment. Trump’s announcement highlights Weldon’s 40-year career as a medical doctor, his service as an Army veteran, and his no-nonsense conservative leadership during his time in Congress. In short, Weldon is exactly the kind of reformer the CDC desperately needs.
Let’s face it—the CDC’s reputation took a nosedive in recent years. Censorship, politicized “science,” and a revolving door of data manipulations have left the American people skeptical of the very agency that’s supposed to keep them healthy. Trump called it out for what it is: an institution that has lost the trust of the public. And in true Trump fashion, his response is bold and unapologetic—appoint someone who’s spent decades not only understanding public health but also fighting the red tape and backroom deals that hold it hostage.
Weldon isn’t just a doctor. He’s a conservative crusader who’s been on the front lines of health policy reform. His time on the Labor/HHS Appropriations Subcommittee and the Government Oversight and Reform Committee was marked by his push for accountability and transparency. Oh, and let’s not forget his role in securing a ban on patents for human embryos—a win for ethics and a rare triumph over big biotech. He’s no stranger to the CDC’s inner workings, and he’s already proven he’s willing to hold them accountable.
“In addition to being a Medical Doctor for 40 years, and an Army Veteran, Dave has been a respected conservative leader on fiscal and social issues, and served on the Labor/HHS Appropriations Subcommittee, working for Accountability on HHS and CDC Policy and Budgeting,” Trump stated.
“Dave also served in a leading role in Government Oversight and Reform Committee Hearings, addressing issues within HHS and CDC. Dave has successfully worked with the CDC to enact a ban on patents for human embryos,” Trump continued.
Trump’s pick is also getting kudos from another bold choice: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services. Kennedy’s praise for Weldon’s commitment to truth and transparency is a strong endorsement from someone who’s made his career challenging the health establishment. With Kennedy and Weldon teaming up, it’s clear the Trump administration is serious about cleaning house at HHS and the CDC.
Congratulations Dr. Dave Weldon on your nomination as Director of CDC. Dr. Weldon is a 40-year medical doctor, Congressman, and Army veteran. Dave’s leadership at CDC will bring the truth and transparency needed to restore the public’s confidence in this institution. Welcome… pic.twitter.com/hu8bHdSqKa
— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) November 23, 2024
For the first time in years, it feels like the CDC might actually focus on its job—helping Americans understand and combat disease—rather than playing politics or chasing headlines. Weldon’s experience, integrity, and conservative values make him a perfect fit to rebuild this broken institution from the ground up. The bureaucratic elites may be sweating, but for the rest of us, it’s about time someone put the “health” back in public health.
