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By Adeola Adeosun and Gabe Whisnant
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President Donald Trump announced on Monday that acting director Dr. Susan Monarez is his selection to direct the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A White House official confirmed the nomination, following Trump's withdrawal of his previous nominee, David Weldon, earlier this month due to insufficient Senate votes for confirmation.
Newsweek reached out to the CDC via email on Monday for comment.
Why It Matters
Monarez has previously held several prominent positions within the U.S. government. She served as deputy director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), where she led initiatives in artificial intelligence and health technology. She has also held roles at the Department of Homeland Security and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
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This nomination is notable as Monarez would be the first CDC director to require Senate confirmation, following a law change in 2022. Previous directors could assume leadership immediately after presidential appointment without this process.
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What To Know
Monarez brings an unconventional background to the role, as previous interim directors typically came from within the CDC's career ranks. While not a physician, she holds a Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology, and has been a government employee since 2006, serving under both Republican and Democratic administrations.
She reputedly outpaced other potential candidates for the nomination, including former Texas congressman Michael Burgess and Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, who had been suggested by Weldon as his replacement.
Monarez will face scrutiny over several controversial decisions made during her tenure as acting director, including questions about the independence of the CDC's medical research publication and delayed meetings of vaccine advisers.
Additionally, Monarez's role in planned workforce reductions at the CDC—possibly cutting up to 30 percent of staff—will likely be examined during the confirmation process.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social platform: "I am proud to announce that Dr. Susan Monarez is my Nominee to serve as the next Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dr. Monarez brings decades of experience championing Innovation, Transparency, and strong Public Health Systems. She has a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin, and Postdoctoral training in Microbiology and Immunology at Stanford University School of Medicine.
Trump added: "As an incredible mother and dedicated public servant, Dr. Monarez understands the importance of protecting our children, our communities, and our future. Americans have lost confidence in the CDC due to political bias and disastrous mismanagement. Dr. Monarez will work closely with our GREAT Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert Kennedy Jr. Together, they will prioritize Accountability, High Standards, and Disease Prevention to finally address the Chronic Disease Epidemic and, MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN!"
Dr. Susan Monarez shared this message on X, formerly Twitter, in January: "@CDCgov has made significant improvements in our data, the way we communicate, and our ability to respond to the next threat. The team is working hard every day to protect health & improve lives and I'm proud to have been a part of this mission!"
What Happens Next
Monarez's confirmation hearings will likely focus on her response to current public health challenges, including a measurable rise in measles cases driven by undervaccination in Texas and neighboring states. She will face questions about her position on Health Secretary Robert Kennedy's controversial statements about vaccines and his response to the measles outbreak.
Meanwhile, nominees for other key health agencies including the National Institutes of Health, Food and Drug Administration, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are expected to be confirmed soon.
Update: 3/24/25, 5:32 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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