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CDC nominee says she won’t betray science — and also backs Kennedy’s actions
By The Associated Press at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News
· July 15, 2026
· 7 min read
ATLANTA, Ga. (AP) — The Trump administration’s latest nominee to lead the nation’s top public health agency drew frustrated reactions from some U.S. senators on Wednesday when they pressed her on whether she would protect the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from political meddling.Dr. ...
Key takeaway Erica Schwartz told the Senate health committee she “will never betray the science” and pledged to use “radical transparency” in a bid to rebuild public trust in the agency.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The nomination of Dr. Erica Schwartz to lead the Atlanta -based CDC has significant implications for the city and its residents. As the CDC's reputation and morale have plummeted, the agency's ability to effectively respond to public health emergencies has been compromised. With over 3,000 employees lost, the CDC's diminished capacity to lead on outbreaks and health crises is a concern for Atlanta, which has a large and diverse population that relies on the agency's expertise. The city's own health department and medical community may need to fill the gap, which could strain local resources. Dr. Schwartz's pledge to use "radical transparency" and protect the science is a welcome statement, but her willingness to back U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s actions raises questions about her ability to maintain the CDC's independence and credibility. Atlantans will be watching closely to see how Dr. Schwartz navigates these challenges and whether she can restore the CDC's reputation as a trusted leader in public health.
About this story
Original reporting by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: local ·
Published: July 15, 2026 ·
Source: Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News ·
Reading time: 7 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? ATLANTA, Ga. (AP) — The Trump administration’s latest nominee to lead the nation’s top public health agency drew frustrated reactions from some U.S. senators on Wednesday when they pressed her on whether she would protect the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from political meddling.Dr. ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 15, 2026 by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by The Associated Press at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
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