Trump appoints Jay Bhattacharya as director of National Institutes of Health

President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Dr. Jay Bhattacharya as the new director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Bhattacharya, a Stanford University professor, is known for his criticism of pandemic lockdowns and vaccine mandates. Bhattacharya co-authored the Great Barrington Declaration, which argued against lockdowns and promoted herd immunity. His nomination, which requires Senate approval, reflects ongoing debates about public health policies stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. Trump also named Jim O'Neill as deputy secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. O'Neill is the first of Trump's health appointees with prior government experience, aiming to enhance management and transparency within the agency.