Trump Nominates Erica Schwartz to Lead CDC After Months-Long Vacancy
President Trump nominates Dr. Erica Schwartz, a former deputy surgeon general, to lead the CDC after the position sat vacant for months following a vaccine policy dispute.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA — President Donald Trump on Thursday announced he will nominate Dr. Erica Schwartz to serve as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, filling a position that has remained vacant for months following a contentious departure over childhood vaccine policies.
Trump revealed his selection on Truth Social, praising Schwartz’s military medical background. “She is a STAR!” he wrote on the social media platform.
Schwartz brings extensive federal health experience to the role, having served as deputy surgeon general during Trump’s first administration. She previously held the position of director of health, safety and work life as a rear admiral in the U.S. Coast Guard.
Previous Director’s Controversial Exit
The CDC director position became vacant after Susan Monarez was ousted following just 29 days in the role. Monarez told U.S. senators under oath in September that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired her for refusing to pre-approve changes to the childhood vaccine schedule and for declining to terminate agency scientists without cause.
Monarez had been confirmed by the U.S. Senate on a party-line vote in July before her brief tenure ended amid the vaccine policy disputes.
Additional Health Appointments Announced
Alongside the CDC director nomination, Trump announced several other key health positions. “I am also pleased to announce the appointment of Sean Slovenski as the CDC Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Jennifer Shuford, MD, MPH, as the CDC Deputy Director and Chief Medical Officer, and Dr. Sara Brenner, MD, MPH, as Senior Counselor for Public Health to Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.,” Trump wrote.
The president characterized his nominees as highly qualified medical professionals. “These Highly Respected Doctors of Medicine have the knowledge, experience, and TOP degrees to restore the GOLD STANDARD OF SCIENCE at the CDC, which was an absolute disaster focused on ‘mandates’ under Sleepy Joe,” he added.
Ongoing Vaccine Policy Changes
The nomination comes as the CDC continues to navigate changes to vaccine recommendations. The agency’s vaccine advisory committee adjusted recommendations for childhood vaccines in September, withdrawing previous guidance amid the ongoing policy shifts under the current administration.
The CDC, headquartered in Atlanta, plays a key role in protecting public health through disease surveillance, prevention programs, and health guidance for the American public. Schwartz’s nomination will require Senate confirmation before she can officially assume the director role.
The appointment represents Trump’s effort to reshape federal health agencies following his return to office, with Kennedy’s leadership at HHS marking a shift in the department’s approach to vaccine policies and public health recommendations.
