Two nominees for high-profile health roles in the Trump administration faced scrutiny from the Senate health committee on Wednesday—and both struggled to pass the test.

Schwartz, nominee for director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is highly qualified with a medical degree and extensive experience. Her assignment was clear: stand firm against the anti-vaccine agenda of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has previously fired CDC leaders for refusing to follow his political whims.

Kaufman, up for the role of Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, entered the hearing with a less-than-rosy image that needed overcoming. He is responsible for ensuring the US is prepared to swiftly respond to pandemics or bioterrorism threats, but his past actions and public perception made it difficult for him to gain support.

The performance of these nominees highlighted the ongoing tension between scientific integrity and political influence in health policy, a challenge that continues to impact global health preparedness.