Trump Nominates COVID Mandate Critic Jay Bhattacharya for NIH Director

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, a Stanford health researcher and critic of COVID-19 mandates, to lead the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Bhattacharya's nomination, which requires Senate confirmation, could significantly impact the future of medical science and NIH's structure. His involvement in the controversial "Great Barrington Declaration" has drawn criticism from some public health experts, while others see him as a qualified leader who could bring fresh perspectives to the agency. The nomination comes amid broader discussions about potential restructuring and budget changes at the NIH.