WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said on Monday he plans to nominate Susan Monarez as the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, where he expects her to work closely with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on the administration’s larger “Make America Healthy Again” agenda.

“As an incredible mother and dedicated public servant, Dr. Monarez understands the importance of protecting our children, our communities, and our future,” Trump said in a Truth Social post where he said public trust has sunk in the CDC “due to political bias and disastrous mismanagement.”

Trump withdrew the nomination for his first pick, David Weldon, minutes before his confirmation hearing earlier this month. Weldon has a history of vaccine skepticism, and he did not have enough support to be confirmed in the Senate.

Monarez previously served as deputy director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, a federal agency that funds biomedical and health research. She also previously worked at the Department of Homeland Security and the White House in the Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Monarez has been the acting director of the CDC, which is based in Atlanta, since January.

Senators overseeing her confirmation process are likely to ask about health threats facing the country, such as a rise in measles cases as Kennedy Jr. asked parents to consider measles vaccinations but did not outright recommend them.

In his Truth Social post, Trump said Monarez “will work closely with” Kennedy Jr., adding: “Together, they will prioritize Accountability, High Standards, and Disease Prevention to finally address the Chronic Disease Epidemic and, MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN!”

Monarez may also be asked about changes to the agency under the new administration, including its role in the publication of the CDC’s medical research journal and the CDC planning to study connections between vaccines and autism, despite scientific evidence that has already shown vaccines do not cause autism.

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee is the first stop for Monarez before going before the full Senate, where 51 votes are needed for confirmation.