Jay Bhattacharya, nominated by Trump to lead the National Institutes of Health (NIH), faced intense scrutiny during his Senate confirmation hearing. Senators challenged him on his views regarding vaccines, particularly his stance on vaccine-autism research, as well as potential cuts to NIH funding and the agency’s indirect costs rate. Bhattacharya emphasized the importance of scientific dissent and free speech in research, citing his experiences of censorship amid the pandemic. While some see him as a controversial choice, others regard him as a viable option for reforming the agency. He addressed concerns over past grant freezes and reassured senators about not pursuing additional job cuts. As the hearing concluded, questions remained about the future direction of the NIH under his leadership.