Trump Nominates Jay Bhattacharya as NIH Director

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, a Stanford professor and critic of U.S. COVID-19 policies, to lead the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which oversees a $47.3 billion budget and 27 research institutes. Bhattacharya is known for co-authoring the Great Barrington Declaration, advocating for an end to lockdowns and a focus on protecting vulnerable populations during the pandemic. Trump's choice aligns with his health team’s objective to shift the NIH's focus from infectious diseases to chronic diseases and to reform medical research practices. Bhattacharya stated he is honored by the nomination and aims to restore trust in American scientific institutions. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., nominated for HHS Secretary, has indicated plans for significant staffing changes at the NIH, including firing 600 employees. The appointment reflects a broader Republican skepticism towards previous pandemic responses and aims to challenge existing public health strategies.