A look at Trump loyalist Heidi Overton, newly nominated as FDA chief

A look at Trump loyalist Heidi Overton, newly nominated as FDA chief

Daniel covers the intersection of the health industry and the federal government. He reports on corporate influence in government, the health consequences of federal policies, and the politics of health care. Confidential tips can be sent on Signal at danielp.100.

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration did not overhaul the childhood vaccine schedule or flip the food pyramid until Heidi Overton, deputy director of domestic policy for the White House, had her say. 

While health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been the public face of the Make America Healthy Again movement, Overton has been the top health policymaker behind the scenes, according to two people, including a senior administration official, familiar with her White House influence. Now, Overton is the president’s choice to lead the Food and Drug Administration. 

“Dr. Heidi has been a ROCKSTAR in my Administration, where she has worked directly with Secretary Kennedy, Dr. Oz, and team, to deliver on the MOST TRANSFORMATIVE Health Agenda in History,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday, announcing the nomination. “She is known to take on the HARDEST issues, and bring me solutions that work best for the Country.”

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