Trump Withdraws CDC Nominee Dave Weldon Before Senate Hearing

The Trump administration withdrew Dr. David Weldon's nomination to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) just hours before his scheduled Senate confirmation hearing, citing insufficient support from lawmakers. Weldon, a former congressman, faced significant criticism for his anti-vaccine rhetoric and close ties to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent anti-vaccine advocate. His history of questioning vaccine safety and promoting debunked claims raised alarms among Senate members, leading to the cancellation of the confirmation hearing. This withdrawal marks another setback for the Trump administration in securing key appointments, following previous failed nominations. The decision to pull Weldon's nomination reflects ongoing concerns about the direction of the CDC under potential leadership aligned with anti-vaccine views. The search for a new nominee continues amidst scrutiny over the agency's future leadership.