White House pulls Weldon’s nomination to lead CDC at last minute
The White House has withdrawn Dr. Dave Weldon's nomination to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) just hours before his scheduled confirmation hearing1234. Here are the key details:
Withdrawal Reasons
- Lack of votes:
Weldon did not have enough support for confirmation, particularly losing key Republican backing1.
- Anti-vaccine concerns:
Weldon faced scrutiny over his past comments questioning vaccine safety and suggesting links between vaccines and autism134.
- Preparedness issues:
Sources indicated Weldon appeared unprepared for the role during pre-confirmation meetings1.
Timeline and Context
- Nomination withdrawn:
March 14, 2025, hours before Weldon's scheduled Senate confirmation hearing1234.
- First Senate-confirmed CDC director:
This would have been the first time a CDC director nominee required Senate confirmation, following a 2022 law change1.
Key Figures Involved
- Dave Weldon:
Former Florida congressman (1995-2009) and physician nominated by President Trump13.
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr.:
HHS Secretary who initially supported Weldon's nomination14.
- Senators Susan Collins and Bill Cassidy:
Key Republican senators who expressed concerns about Weldon's views1.
Controversy
- Vaccine skepticism:
Weldon had a history of questioning vaccine safety and sponsoring bills related to vaccine ingredients14.
- Measles outbreak:
The nomination withdrawal occurred amid a measles outbreak in the U.S.1.
- Political implications:
The withdrawal highlights the challenges in appointing leadership for key public health agencies in a politically charged environment.
Sources:
1. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/white-house-withdraws-david-weldons-nomination-trumps-cdc/story?id=119750010
2. https://endpts.com/white-house-pulls-weldons-nomination-to-lead-cdc/
3. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/13/white-house-to-withdraw-cdc-director-nominee-00228166
4. https://www.axios.com/2025/03/13/white-house-pulls-cdc-nomination