Trump’s pick for FDA faces scrutiny after cyclospora outbreak

Trump has praised Overton, a former general surgery resident at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and chief policy officer at conservative think tank America First Policy Institute, as a “rockstar” future leader of the FDA.

But her nomination to the top job comes at a time where Trump officials are attempting to take steps on a number of controversial issues regulated by the agency, including vaccines and abortion medication.

As an insider in Trump’s orbit, some public health experts, including Swartzberg, are afraid she will put his agenda first, and the science second.

In a statement to the BBC, White House spokesperson Kush Desai said Overton “has been integral to ensuring that the Administration’s policies are correct, consistent, and grounded in Gold Standard Science.

“The White House looks forward to her swift confirmation by the Senate.”

But to be confirmed, Overton must first get the support of the Senate’s health committee, chaired by Republican Senator and doctor Bill Cassidy. It’s unclear whether Cassidy will back the president’s pick, after he expressed “strong concerns” about Overton because of her support for Trump’s orders to overhaul the childhood vaccine schedule.

Her nomination is also viewed sceptically by some in MAHA movement, because of Trump’s order to increase domestic production of glyphosate, which they argue causes cancer.

One prominent MAHA influencer, Alex Clark, took to social media last week to accuse Overton of being heavily involved in the executive order, an allegation the White House denies.

Yet Capriotti said some in the movement were too quick to raise concerns.

“She’s a well-respected doctor,” Capriotti said. “I would like to give her a chance.”