Trump Appoints Covid Lockdown Critic to Lead US Health Agency

In a move that signals a shift in the U.S. approach to public health, President-elect Donald Trump has selected Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, a prominent critic of Covid lockdowns, to head the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Bhattacharya, a Stanford-trained physician and economist, gained widespread attention during the pandemic for co-authoring the controversial Great Barrington Declaration, which opposed blanket lockdowns and advocated for focused protection of vulnerable groups, such as the elderly.

Bhattacharya's appointment to lead the NIH, the largest government-funded biomedical research agency in the world, marks a key decision in Trump’s broader health strategy. The president-elect, who is preparing to assume office on January 20, has already announced several key health-related positions within his administration. Bhattacharya’s nomination comes alongside other appointments, including former rival Robert Kennedy Jr. for the Department of Health and Human Services, known for his vaccine skepticism. Trump has expressed his goal of "restoring the NIH to a gold standard of medical research," focusing on chronic illness and disease in America.

Bhattacharya, who has consistently criticized the public health response to the Covid pandemic, remains an outspoken figure in the debate over lockdowns and public health policy. In his statement following the nomination, Bhattacharya stated that he was "humbled" by the opportunity and pledged to reform American scientific institutions, restoring public trust and advancing scientific excellence to improve the nation’s health.

Alongside Bhattacharya, Trump has also nominated Jim O’Neill, a former federal health official, to serve as the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Health. O’Neill is known for his ties to conservative donor Peter Thiel. Another notable nominee is Dr. Marty Makary, a Johns Hopkins surgeon who opposed the Covid vaccine mandate, tapped to head the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Dr. Dave Weldon, a former congressman and physician, was selected to oversee the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

While these nominations have been welcomed by many of Trump’s allies, they have drawn criticism from some sectors. The inclusion of figures like Kennedy, Makary, and Weldon, all of whom have questioned the conventional Covid response, signals a move towards alternative views on health policy. Additionally, Trump has nominated Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, a Fox News medical contributor, for the role of Surgeon General, though her past comments on issues such as abortion and school mask mandates have sparked controversy among some conservative circles.

All of Trump’s health-related nominations must be confirmed by the Senate before they can officially take office, and the broader impact of these appointments will unfold in the coming months as the new administration tackles ongoing health challenges in the U.S.