White House abruptly pulls Trump's CDC director nominee before hearing

WASHINGTON

The White House withdrew Thursday the nomination of Dr. Dave Weldon to lead the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), just an hour before he was slated to testify before the Senate.

The former Republican congressman from the state of Florida was slated to address the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee at 10 a.m. Eastern Time (1400GMT), but the hearing was canceled minutes before it was slated to begin.

It is unclear why the nomination was withdrawn, but multiple reports linked it to a lack of support from lawmakers. Weldon has long vocally criticized vaccines, as well as the agency that President Donald Trump tapped him to lead.

He has repeatedly claimed that vaccines are linked to a rise in autism, allegations that have been repeatedly debunked in scientific studies.

"During one of the worst measles outbreaks in years because of Trump, Weldon should NEVER have even been under consideration to lead CDC," Democratic Sen. Patty Murray wrote on X. "While I have little to no confidence in Trump to do so, he should nominate someone who at bare minimum believes in basic science."

The White House did not immediately return a request for comment by Anadolu. Axios first reported Wheldon's withdrawal.