A controversial new figure has stepped into one of America’s most powerful public health roles — and it’s raising serious alarm bells.
Welcome to The Logoff. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has quietly gained a new second-in-command, and the choice is already sparking debate. Dr. Ralph Abraham, formerly a Congressman and Louisiana’s surgeon general, is now serving as the CDC’s principal deputy director. What’s striking, though, isn’t just his sudden appearance — it’s the fact that the agency hasn’t officially announced the move. The only reason we know about it is through investigative reporting, first revealed by the Substack newsletter Inside Medicine.
So who exactly is Dr. Abraham, and why is his appointment so controversial?
For starters, Abraham has a troubling record when it comes to public health. He’s publicly supported false or misleading claims about vaccines and Covid-19 treatments, backing drugs like ivermectin despite overwhelming evidence of their ineffectiveness. His views appear to mirror those of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., one of the nation’s most vocal skeptics of mainstream vaccine science.
During his tenure as Louisiana’s surgeon general, Abraham made several controversial decisions that still concern health experts. He ended a public campaign encouraging childhood immunizations and delayed issuing public warnings about deadly whooping cough outbreaks — a disease that can be fatal for infants. These actions, critics argue, reflect a pattern of undermining public trust in vaccines and ignoring established medical guidance.
But here’s where it gets even more complicated.
Abraham’s appointment comes at a time when federal health agencies like the CDC are caught in a broader internal struggle. There’s a visible rift between Kennedy’s circle — which frequently challenges the scientific consensus on vaccines — and more traditional figures like the FDA’s Commissioner, Dr. Marty Makary, who has urged restraint and evidence-based policy. Abraham’s history of supporting disproven vaccine claims and the unverified theory linking Tylenol to autism places him firmly in Kennedy’s camp. This alliance could further tilt the CDC away from established scientific norms.
Why does this matter to you?
Because this isn’t just about one appointment — it’s part of a sweeping transformation of America’s public health leadership. Kennedy has already dismissed the entire CDC vaccine advisory panel and forced out the agency’s recently confirmed director, triggering a wave of resignations and deep uncertainty among staff. Each move chips away at public confidence, replaces science-driven oversight with political loyalty, and fuels an already dangerous epidemic of misinformation.
And here’s the real question: if the CDC’s top decision-makers no longer stand behind evidence-based medicine, who will Americans trust during the next public health crisis?
But it’s not all bad news. Outside the U.S., there’s a bright spot in global health worth celebrating: a major malaria vaccine is about to become significantly cheaper — dropping from roughly $4 to under $3 per dose. That seemingly small difference could enable the global vaccine group Gavi to provide 30 million additional doses over the next five years, potentially saving up to 7 million children’s lives. A rare and meaningful victory in the fight against preventable disease.
And if your brain needs a break from the political whirlwind, there’s an inspiring long read perfect for the upcoming holiday weekend: Defector recently profiled the real-life story of table tennis legend Marty Reisman — the flamboyant athlete who inspired the upcoming film Marty Supreme.
So, what do you think — is Abraham’s appointment a bold shake-up or a dangerous step backward for American science? Debate it below. This conversation about truth, trust, and public health leadership is only just beginning.
