President Donald Trump announced his nomination of former Florida Congressman Dr. Dave Weldon as the new Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

This pivotal decision reflects Trump’s commitment to restoring public trust in federal health institutions, which have been tarnished by mismanagement, censorship, and political agendas.

Speaking at the announcement, Trump praised Weldon’s unique combination of medical expertise, military service, and political leadership.

Read Trump’s full statement below:

“I am thrilled to announce that former Congressman, Dr. Dave Weldon, is nominated to serve as Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In addition to being a Medical Doctor for 40 years, and an Army Veteran, Dave has been a respected conservative leader on fiscal and social issues, and served on the Labor/HHS Appropriations Subcommittee, working for Accountability on HHS and CDC Policy and Budgeting.

Dave also served in a leading role in Government Oversight and Reform Committee Hearings, addressing issues within HHS and CDC. Dave has successfully worked with the CDC to enact a ban on patents for human embryos.

Americans have lost trust in the CDC and in our Federal Health Authorities, who have engaged in censorship, data manipulation, and misinformation. Given the current Chronic Health Crisis in our Country, the CDC must step up and correct past errors to focus on the Prevention of Disease.

The current Health of Americans is critical, and CDC will play a big role in helping to ensure Americans have the tools and resources they need to understand the underlying causes of disease, and the solutions to cure these diseases.

As a father of two and a husband of 45 years, Dave understands American Family Values, and views Health as one of utmost importance. Dave will prioritize Transparency, Competence, and High Standards at CDC.

Dave will proudly restore the CDC to its true purpose, and will work to end the Chronic Disease Epidemic, and Make America Healthy Again!”

Dr. Weldon is no stranger to leadership in medicine and politics. Before his congressional tenure from 1995 to 2009, he practiced medicine in Florida, and after leaving office, he resumed his work as a physician with Health First Medical Group.

Weldon’s military service from 1981 to 1987 and continued role in the Army Reserve until 1992 highlight his dedication to serving the nation.

During his time in Congress, Weldon emerged as a staunch advocate for fiscal responsibility and government oversight. His role in the Government Oversight and Reform Committee enabled him to challenge inefficiencies within HHS and CDC, cementing his reputation as a conservative champion for accountability.

Here is Weldon’s background, according to researcher Champagne Joshi on X:

Professional Background/Medical Career

Dave Weldon was born on August 31, 1953, on Long Island, New York. He earned his medical degree from the University at Buffalo School of Medicine in 1981, graduating Phi Beta Kappa from Stony Brook University in 1978. He served in the United States Army from 1981 to 1987 and the United States Army Reserve from 1987 to 1992, achieving the rank of Major.

Political Career/Congressional Service

Weldon served seven terms as a Republican representing Florida’s 15th congressional district from 1994 to 2008. During his time in Congress, he was involved in several notable committees, including:
•U.S. House Committee on Appropriations
•U.S. House Committee on Science
•U.S. House Committee on Government Reform

Notable Legislative Achievements

•Introduced the Weldon-Hyde Conscience Protection Language
•Enacted a ban on patents for human embryos
•Secured funding for a state-of-the-art veterans’ clinic
•Worked to remove toxic mercury-containing preservatives from childhood vaccines

Trump praised Weldon’s medical expertise, conservative leadership, and commitment to addressing what he calls “past errors” in public health management.

Post-Political Career

After leaving Congress in 2008, Weldon returned to medical practice in Brevard County, Florida. He currently practices internal medicine with Health First Medical Group and serves as a clinical professor of biomedical engineering at Florida Tech. In 2024, he ran for the Florida House of Representatives but lost the primary.

Autism Advocate

Dr. Weldon has been a significant advocate for children with autism, contributing to research, funding, and awareness in multiple ways:
Advocacy and Support

Legislative Efforts
•Played a crucial role in acquiring federal funding for the Scott Center for Autism Treatment at Florida Institute of Technology
•Spearheaded efforts to eliminate toxins from vaccines and investigate potential links between mercury and autism
Conference and Research Involvement

National Autism Advocacy
•Delivered the keynote address at the 2008 National Autism Conference
•Supported research into:
•Environmental factors related to autism
•Potential vaccine-related concerns
•Cutting-edge autism research
Specific Contributions
Scott Center for Autism Treatment

Weldon was instrumental in establishing the Scott Center, which has a threefold mission:
•Providing clinical services for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
•Training parents, caregivers, teachers, and students
•Conducting applied research on effective ASD treatments

The center, which opened in 2009, was designed to improve the quality of life for individuals with autism and their families, reflecting Weldon’s commitment to supporting children with autism and their communities.

Meet Trump’s pick for Director of CDC Dr. Dave Weldon

Professional Background/Medical Career
⁰Dave Weldon was born on August 31, 1953, on Long Island, New York. He earned his medical degree from the University at Buffalo School of Medicine in 1981, graduating Phi Beta Kappa… pic.twitter.com/LkJQJiHuqz

— Champagne Joshi (@JoshWalkos) November 23, 2024