The move to appoint Bhattacharya signals a stark pivot in the direction of U.S. health policy under Trump’s administration, favoring critics of traditional public health measures.
Trump Taps Bhattacharya to Lead NIH : Additional Health Appointments
In a parallel announcement, Trump nominated Jim O’Neill, a venture capitalist with ties to tech investor Peter Thiel, as Kennedy’s deputy at HHS. O’Neill has a background in regenerative medicine research and prior experience at HHS during the George W. Bush administration.
“Jim and RFK Jr. will fight in unison to ensure every American, especially our children, will live long and healthy lives,” Trump said.
O’Neill joins a growing list of high-profile appointments, including Johns Hopkins surgeon Dr. Marty Makary for FDA commissioner, former Rep. Dave Weldon as CDC director, and Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, a Fox News contributor, as surgeon general.
Divisive Appointments Spark Concerns
Kennedy’s nomination, in particular, has drawn widespread criticism due to his history of promoting anti-vaccine misinformation and opposing water fluoridation, a practice widely lauded as a significant public health success. If confirmed, Kennedy would oversee agencies such as the CDC, the NIH, and the FDA, potentially steering U.S. health policy in a controversial new direction.
