Trump nominates Covid lockdown critic Jay Bhattacharya to lead NIH

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Jay Bhattacharya, a prominent critic of Covid lockdowns, to lead the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Bhattacharya is known for co-authoring the Great Barrington Declaration, which opposed widespread lockdowns during the pandemic. This nomination completes Trump's public health team, which includes other controversial figures like Robert Kennedy Jr. for the health department and Marty Makary for the Food and Drug Administration. All nominees require Senate confirmation. Bhattacharya's selection reflects a shift in public health leadership, emphasizing alternative approaches to pandemic response. His views have faced criticism from established health authorities, but they align with Trump's broader strategy for health policy.