Centers for Disease Control and Prevention staff gathered Wednesday for what many hoped would be an announcement of the Trump administration’s choice for a new leader of the beleaguered agency.
But instead, acting Director Jay Bhattacharya told them a permanent director would likely be nominated by Thursday.
A transcript of the hour-plus all-hands meeting, obtained by STAT, revealed tough questions for Bhattacharya, who scored points from staff on some issues — like supporting measles vaccination — but waffled on others. His defense of health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whom he called a friend and suggested has been mischaracterized by the media, was met with some audible grumbling, one source in the room told STAT.
