Trump nominates Jay Bhattacharya, lockdown critic, to lead National Institutes of Health

President-elect Donald Trump has selected Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, a critic of COVID-19 lockdowns, to lead the National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya, a Stanford professor, co-authored the Great Barrington Declaration, which argued that lockdowns caused significant harm. Trump stated that Bhattacharya will work alongside Robert F. Kennedy Jr., his nominee for the Department of Health and Human Services. Their goal is to enhance medical research and address major health challenges in the U.S. Bhattacharya's nomination requires Senate approval. He has previously faced social media restrictions for his views and has criticized vaccine mandates for eroding public trust in health authorities.