Trump names Jay Bhattacharya to lead NIH amid criticism of Fauci's pandemic response

Dr. Jay Bhattacharya has been named by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya, a Stanford professor, is known for his criticism of Dr. Anthony Fauci's COVID-19 response and his support for alternative pandemic strategies. Bhattacharya co-authored the Great Barrington Declaration, which opposed lockdowns and advocated for herd immunity. He has accused Fauci and other officials of suppressing dissenting scientific views and creating a false consensus during the pandemic. Fauci, who led the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for nearly 40 years, faced criticism from Trump for his cautious approach. Bhattacharya has called for a review of pandemic responses to prevent future issues.