STAT+: How a Trump loyalist got the FDA nomination
What you need to know about Heidi Overton, and Erica Schwartz's first speech to CDC staff.
STAT PlusNewsletterD.C. Diagnosis How a Trump loyalist got the FDA nomination You’re reading STAT’s D.C. Diagnosis newsletter Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By John WilkersonAug.
20, 2026 Washington Correspondent John Wilkerson[email protected]John writes about the politics of health care, and he is the author of the twice-weekly D.C. Diagnosis newsletter. You can reach John on Signal at John_Wilkerson.07.
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RFK Jr. spent three days at public events in Iowa this week. Send news tips and signs of a presidential run to [email protected] or John_Wilkerson.07 on Signal.Advertisement How Overton got picked The Trump administration wanted acting FDA Commissioner Kyle Diamantas to accept the job permanently.
He declined, so they went with Heidi Overton, Daniel Payne and Chelsea Cirruzzo report. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts.
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