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CDC nominee says she won't betray science — and also backs Kennedy's actions
By AP via Scripps News Group at WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News
· July 15, 2026
· 7 min read
The Trump administration's latest nominee to lead the nation' 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. Erica Schwartz told t...
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 Detroit
Detroit 's own public health landscape is closely tied to the fortunes of the CDC, given the city's history of grappling with infectious disease outbreaks and health disparities. As the CDC's leadership and reputation continue to evolve, Detroiters should be watching closely to see how the agency's direction under Dr. Erica Schwartz might impact local health initiatives. The city's own health department has long relied on CDC guidance and support to inform its responses to public health emergencies, from vaccine distribution to disease surveillance. With the CDC's workforce and morale at a low ebb, Detroit may need to be more self-reliant in addressing its own health challenges, at least in the short term. Dr. Schwartz's pledge to prioritize science and transparency will be closely scrutinized in Detroit, where community trust in public health institutions is paramount.
About this story
Original reporting by WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News . The Detroit 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: WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News ·
Reading time: 7 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The Trump administration's latest nominee to lead the nation' 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. Erica Schwartz told t...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 15, 2026 by WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News and curated for The Detroit readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by AP via Scripps News Group at WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News. To learn more about how The Detroit selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
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