Trump appoints Jay Bhattacharya to lead National Institutes of Health

President-elect Donald Trump has selected Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to lead the National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya, a critic of lockdowns and vaccine mandates, is known for advocating herd immunity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bhattacharya's nomination reflects ongoing political debates surrounding public health. He co-authored the Great Barrington Declaration, which argued against lockdowns and promoted normal life for low-risk individuals. Trump also appointed Jim O’Neill as deputy secretary of the NIH. O’Neill is the only appointee with prior experience in health bureaucracy, while other Trump health picks have been outsiders aiming to reform public health agencies.