Donald Trump has named Jay Bhattacharya, a prominent critic of COVID-19 lockdowns, as the new director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This nomination completes Trump’s public health team as he prepares to take office on January 20th. Bhattacharya, who is also a physician and economist educated at Stanford University, gained significant attention during the pandemic as a co-author of the Great Barrington Declaration. This controversial letter advocated for an alternative response to lockdowns, emphasizing the need to protect vulnerable populations like the elderly rather than enforcing broad restrictions.
In his announcement, Trump highlighted Bhattacharya’s mission to elevate the NIH to “a Gold Standard of Medical Research”. Bhattacharya expressed gratitude for the opportunity, stating his intention to restore trust in American scientific institutions and enhance public health across the country.
In addition to Bhattacharya, Trump has appointed Jim O’Neill, a former federal health official and ally of conservative donor Peter Thiel, as the deputy secretary of health. Bhattacharya is not alone in his critical stance toward public health responses; Trump has also nominated several others with similar views, including Marty Makary of Johns Hopkins to head the FDA and Dave Weldon, a former congressman, to oversee the CDC.
While many of Trump’s selections have generally been supported by his allies, there are mixed feelings among conservatives regarding some nominees. For instance, Dr. Janette Nesheiwat’s previous positions on abortion and mask mandates have drawn criticism from parts of Trump’s base.
As these nominations await Senate confirmation, observers will be keenly watching how this new team aims to reshape America’s health policies, especially in the aftermath of the pandemic.
This appointment may resonate positively with those advocating for a fresh approach to public health and a shift away from traditional lockdown measures, signaling potential changes in how public health challenges are met in the future.