Old North News

North Carolina Sen. Ted Budd took to social media to express his opposition to President Joe Biden’s selection of Mandy Cohen to lead the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), spotlighting her moves during the COVID-19 pandemic, including support for lockdowns which he termed as “liberal activism.”

“Given her strong affiliation with liberal activism and the COVID-19 lockdowns, I strongly oppose Mandy Cohen's appointment to lead the CDC,” Budd said in a tweet. 

Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Chip. Roy (R-Texas) joined Budd, 22 other House GOP members and six Senate Republicans in a letter asking Biden to withdraw Cohen’s nomination. They said her support for lockdowns, masks and other alleged “left-wing” policies position her as unfit to serve in the role. 

Despite this, Politico noted the role as CDC director doesn’t require confirmation by the Senate. 

“Given her strong affiliation with the Democratic Party and the COVID-19 lockdowns, it will be difficult for the American people to trust Dr. Cohen to run the CDC as a nonpartisan actor who makes objective decisions rooted in scientific data, and not in political expediency," the letter to Biden stated. “Therefore, we urge you to reverse course on Dr. Cohen’s reported appointment to the director of the CDC.”

The letter also argues that, although the role is nonpartisan, Cohen has a long history of campaigning for Democratic candidates and issues. 

U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) tweeted that Cohen was another “Fauci fanatic,” and deemed her a key offender in pushing lockdowns and school closures during the pandemic, arguing she should “never work in public health ever.”

Cohen’s credentials include experience that goes back to the Obama administration. She served as North Carolina's health secretary for four years, spearheading the pandemic response until early 2022, according to Politico, and she would succeed Rochelle Walensky as CDC head.