Trump nominates COVID-19 lockdown critic Dr. Jay Bhattacharya as NIH director

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Dr. Jay Bhattacharya as the new director of the National Institute of Health (NIH). Bhattacharya is known for opposing COVID-19 lockdowns and co-authored the "Great Barrington Declaration," advocating for focused protection of vulnerable groups. His nomination requires Senate confirmation. If approved, Bhattacharya will lead an agency with over 18,000 employees and a budget of nearly $48 billion for scientific research. His appointment has faced criticism from public health experts. Trump's previous term included proposals to cut NIH funding, and his administration faced backlash from some Republicans regarding long-serving NIH officials during the pandemic.