President-elect Donald Trump has announced the nomination of Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, a Stanford professor and prominent critic of U.S. Covid-19 policies, as the new Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Bhattacharya, known for his calls to reform public health approaches, has pledged to restore trust in American scientific institutions.

In a statement, Trump praised Bhattacharya’s credentials and commitment to reform, saying, “I am thrilled to nominate Jay Bhattacharya, MD, PhD, to serve as Director of the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Bhattacharya will work in coordination with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to direct the Nation’s Medical Research and make important discoveries that will improve health and save lives." Trump emphasized their shared mission to address chronic illness and disease, adding, “Together, Jay and RFK Jr. will restore the NIH to a gold standard of medical research and work hard to Make America Healthy Again!"

Dr. Bhattacharya expressed gratitude for the nomination in a social media post, stating, “I am honored and humbled by President Donald Trump’s nomination. We will reform American scientific institutions so they are worthy of trust again and will deploy the fruits of excellent science to make America healthy again!"

The NIH oversees 27 institutes and centers, conducting critical early-stage research, from pandemic vaccine development to innovative drug targets. Bhattacharya’s leadership will mark a shift in focus, with plans to fund more groundbreaking research and reduce the influence of entrenched career officials.

Born in Kolkata in 1968, Dr. Bhattacharya is a Stanford health policy expert with a medical degree and a doctorate in economics from Stanford University. He gained prominence during the pandemic for co-authoring the Great Barrington Declaration, which advocated for protecting vulnerable populations while allowing others to resume normal life.

A vocal critic of U.S. Covid-19 policies, he sued the government, alleging that it pressured social media platforms to censor dissenting views. His stance often clashed with that of Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former head of the NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and a frequent target of Republican criticism during the pandemic.

Bhattacharya's nomination follows Trump’s earlier pick of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Kennedy, an outspoken health advocate, has expressed confidence in Bhattacharya’s vision for the NIH.

The nomination reflects Trump’s broader agenda to reform federal health agencies, reduce bureaucracy, and prioritize innovative research. As NIH Director, Bhattacharya is expected to work closely with Kennedy to spearhead a transformation in America’s health policy landscape.

The announcement highlights Trump’s commitment to reshaping the country’s medical research and health governance to meet evolving challenges and restore public trust.