PRINCIPLE

November 25, 2025

Louisiana Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham, COVID vaccine skeptic who praised RFK Jr., named CDC second in command

Abraham's appointment to CDC's second-highest role follows website changes promoting debunked vaccine-autism claims

On Nov. 25, 2025, Dr. Ralph Abraham was named CDC deputy administrator. Abraham is Louisiana's first surgeon general appointed in 2024. He's praised RFK Jr.'s vaccine skepticism publicly.

As former Republican congressman from Louisiana (2015-2021), Abraham was on Trump's 2019 reelection campaign trail. His appointment follows CDC's Nov. 19 website change promoting vaccine-autism links.

Abraham's medical background includes emergency medicine, but his public statements have questioned COVID-19 vaccine safety and efficacy.

Dr. Ralph Abraham was named CDC deputy administrator on Nov. 25, 2025. Abraham is Louisiana's first surgeon general, appointed in 2024. He publicly praised RFK Jr.'s vaccine skepticism before Kennedy became HHS Secretary. Abraham served as Republican congressman from Louisiana (2015-2021) and campaigned with Trump in 2019.

Abraham's appointment follows CDC's Nov. 19 website change promoting debunked vaccine-autism links. His medical background is emergency medicine. Public statements show he questioned COVID-19 vaccine safety and efficacy. The appointment places a vaccine skeptic in CDC's second-highest position under RFK Jr., who personally ordered the autism website changes.

As congressman, Abraham voted against the Affordable Care Act and co-sponsored bills to defund Planned Parenthood. He opposed mask mandates during the pandemic. Abraham left Congress in 2021 and worked in private medical practice before Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry appointed him surgeon general in 2024.

🏥Public Health🏛️Government🔐Ethics

People, bills, and sources

Dr. Ralph Abraham

CDC Deputy Administrator, Louisiana Surgeon General

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Secretary of Health and Human Services

What You Can Do

1

civic action

Demand Senate HELP Committee hearing on CDC leadership appointments

Committee has oversight of HHS appointments and can investigate qualifications

help.senate.gov

Phone Call Script: Senate HELP Committee - CDC Leadership Appointment Oversight

Opening: Hi, I'm calling as a constituent to request that the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hold a hearing on Dr. Ralph Abraham's appointment as CDC deputy administrator.

Key points to mention:

  • On November 25, 2025, Dr. Ralph Abraham was named CDC deputy administrator
  • Abraham is Louisiana's surgeon general and has publicly praised RFK Jr.'s vaccine skepticism
  • As a former Republican congressman, Abraham was on Trump's 2019 reelection campaign trail
  • His appointment follows CDC's November 19 website change promoting vaccine-autism links
  • Abraham's public statements have questioned COVID-19 vaccine safety and efficacy

Impact explanation: The CDC is a critical public health agency that millions of Americans rely on for accurate health information. Appointing someone who has publicly questioned vaccine safety and praised vaccine skeptics raises serious concerns about the agency's credibility and the public's trust in its guidance.

Questions to ask:

  1. Will the Senate HELP Committee hold oversight hearings on Dr. Abraham's appointment?
  2. How does the Committee plan to investigate Abraham's qualifications and public statements on vaccines?
  3. What oversight will the Committee conduct to ensure CDC maintains scientific integrity under Abraham's leadership?
  4. Will the Committee examine the process that led to Abraham's appointment?

Specific request: I'm asking the Senate HELP Committee to conduct oversight hearings on Dr. Abraham's appointment as CDC deputy administrator, examine his qualifications and public statements, and ensure the CDC maintains its scientific integrity and public trust.

Contact: Senate HELP Committee: 202-224-5375 Website: help.senate.gov

Thank you for your time.