Two Trump health nominees crash and burn in tense Senate hearing - Ars Technica Skip to content Ars Technica home Sections Forum Subscribe Search AI Biz & IT Cars Culture Gaming Health Policy Science Security Space Tech Feature Reviews AI Biz & IT Cars Culture Gaming Health Policy Science Security Space Tech Forum Subscribe Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Pin to story Theme HyperLight Day & Night Dark System Search Sign In Sign in dialog... Sign in It did not go well Two Trump health nominees crash and burn in tense Senate hearing Both nominees flailed in their own unique ways as senators sought answers. Beth Mole – Jul 16, 2026 6:33 pm | 20 Erica Schwartz, left, and Sean Kaufman attend their confirmation hearings with the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Capitol Hill July 15, 2026 in Washington, DC. Credit: Getty | Finn Gomez Erica Schwartz, left, and Sean Kaufman attend their confirmation hearings with the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Capitol Hill July 15, 2026 in Washington, DC. Credit: Getty | Finn Gomez Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav Two nominees for high-profile health roles in the Trump administration faced scrutiny from the Senate health committee Wednesday—and both crashed and burned in their own special ways. The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) scrutinized Erica Schwartz, the nominee for director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Sean Kaufman, up for the role of Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response.
Schwartz’s assignment Public health experts were “ cautiously optimistic ” about Schwartz’s nomination. She is well respected and holds views in line with evidence-based medicine, including being supportive of vaccinations—in contrast to anti-vaccine Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whom she will serve under. She is also highly qualified for the role, with a medical degree, a master’s degree in public health, and a law degree.
Source: https://arstechnica.com/health/2026/07/two-trump-health-nominees-crash-and-burn-in-tense-senate-hearing/
Schwartz’s assignment Public health experts were “ cautiously optimistic ” about Schwartz’s nomination. She is well respected and holds views in line with evidence-based medicine, including being supportive of vaccinations—in contrast to anti-vaccine Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whom she will serve under. She is also highly qualified for the role, with a medical degree, a master’s degree in public health, and a law degree.
Source: https://arstechnica.com/health/2026/07/two-trump-health-nominees-crash-and-burn-in-tense-senate-hearing/