CDC Leadership Turmoil Continues Under Trump Administration

Acting directors rotate through the agency as White House delays naming permanent director

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been in a state of leadership crisis for months, with a series of acting directors taking the helm as the White House delays nominating a permanent director. This comes after a 2023 law championed by Republicans required the CDC director to be confirmed by the Senate, a move intended to check the agency's power. However, the lack of a permanent leader has raised concerns about the CDC's ability to effectively respond to public health emergencies and carry out its core functions.

Why it matters

The CDC's leadership turmoil could have serious consequences for public health in the United States. Without a permanent, Senate-confirmed director, the agency may struggle to provide timely, science-based guidance and coordinate a national response to disease outbreaks or other public health threats. The mass layoffs and departures of CDC staff under the Trump administration have further weakened the agency's capabilities.

The details

Following the departure of acting director Jim O'Neill last week, the National Institutes of Health director Jay Bhattacharya has now taken over the CDC on a temporary basis. Bhattacharya, a health economist with a medical degree but no clinical experience, has been a vocal critic of the CDC's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Previous acting directors, including Susan Monarez, were removed from the position after clashing with the administration over policy decisions. The White House's original nominee, former Congressman Dave Weldon, was withdrawn due to concerns he would not be confirmed by the Senate.

  • Jim O'Neill departed as acting CDC director last week.
  • Jay Bhattacharya took over as the new acting CDC director.
  • Susan Monarez was confirmed as CDC director in July 2025 but was removed after just four weeks on the job.
  • The 2023 law requiring Senate confirmation of the CDC director was championed by Senator Ted Cruz.

The players

Jay Bhattacharya

The current acting director of the CDC, Bhattacharya is the director of the National Institutes of Health and has been a critic of the CDC's pandemic response.

Jim O'Neill

The previous acting director of the CDC, O'Neill was also the deputy secretary at the Department of Health and Human Services before taking the CDC role.

Susan Monarez

The former CDC director who was confirmed in July 2025 but removed after just four weeks on the job, reportedly for refusing to approve changes to federal vaccine policy.

Dave Weldon

The White House's original nominee to lead the CDC, Weldon is a physician and vocal skeptic of vaccines whose nomination was withdrawn due to concerns about Senate confirmation.

Ted Cruz

The Republican senator who championed the 2023 law requiring Senate confirmation of the CDC director, in response to the agency's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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What they’re saying

“We are woefully unprepared for a bioterror attack or novel pathogen outbreak without leaders capable of directing a national response, including investigation, scaling up testing, clear public communication and coordination with health care professionals across the country. Critical activities have been overlooked, de-prioritized, or stopped due to political, rather than scientific, reasons.”

— Ronald Nahass, President of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (WIRED)

“You would never run a company with a series of temporary CEOs.”

— Georges Benjamin, Executive Director of the American Public Health Association (WIRED)

What’s next

The White House has not provided a timeline for when it will nominate a permanent CDC director to be confirmed by the Senate.

The takeaway

The leadership crisis at the CDC, driven by political factors rather than public health priorities, has weakened the agency's ability to effectively respond to emerging health threats and carry out its core mission. Restoring stable, science-based leadership at the CDC will be crucial for protecting the nation's public health.