Trump Taps Veteran Public Health Official to Lead CDC

Erica Schwartz's nomination signals a shift away from vaccine skepticism ahead of midterm elections.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 8:10pm

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A serene, cinematic painting of a government medical laboratory or office building, with warm sunlight streaming through the windows and deep shadows cast across the scene, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation and transition.The nomination of a veteran public health official to lead the CDC signals a potential shift in the administration's approach to vaccine policy.Atlanta Today

President Trump has selected Erica Schwartz, a longtime civil servant and public health veteran, to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Schwartz's nomination comes as the administration seeks to tamp down on Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s vaccine policies ahead of the midterm elections.

Why it matters

Schwartz's nomination represents a potential shift away from the Trump administration's previous rhetoric of vaccine skepticism. The move is seen as an effort to appeal to voters who support vaccines and are critical of Kennedy's controversial actions at the CDC.

The details

Schwartz, who previously served as deputy surgeon general during Trump's first term, is viewed as a traditional pick for the CDC director position. She has no public record opposing vaccinations and is seen as having the expertise and credibility to lead the agency effectively. Trump also named three other top officials to help lead the CDC, which has been shaken by mass firings, budget cuts, and criticism from Kennedy.

  • On Thursday, April 18, 2026, President Trump announced Schwartz's nomination to lead the CDC.
  • Less than a month ago, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired the previous Senate-confirmed CDC director, Susan Monarez, following a disagreement over vaccines.

The players

Erica Schwartz

Schwartz is the deputy surgeon general during Trump's first term and a longtime civil servant and public health veteran. She is seen as a traditional pick for the CDC director position.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Kennedy is the current Health Secretary and has taken controversial actions at the CDC, including dismissing a key panel of vaccine experts and unilaterally overhauling the federal government's childhood vaccine schedule.

Susan Monarez

Monarez was the previous Senate-confirmed CDC director, who was fired by Kennedy less than a month into the job following a disagreement over vaccines.

Sean Slovenski

Slovenski is the former president of Walmart Health and has been tapped to be the CDC Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer.

Jennifer Shuford

Shuford is the commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services and has been named the CDC Deputy Director and Chief Medical Officer.

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What they’re saying

“If allowed to follow the science without political interference, she'll excel.”

— Jerome Adams, Former Surgeon General during the first Trump administration

“This new team is really going to be able to revolutionize CDC and get it back on track and get it doing the job that it does better than any other health agency in the world.”

— Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Health Secretary

What’s next

A federal judge recently blocked Kennedy's moves to overhaul the federal government's childhood vaccine schedule, and the government has yet to appeal the decision.

The takeaway

Schwartz's nomination represents an effort by the Trump administration to shift away from vaccine skepticism and appeal to voters who support vaccines ahead of the midterm elections, despite the continued influence of Kennedy and his allies within the administration.