CIDRAP News: White House shines high-level spotlight on biodefense
“The Trump administration [on Tuesday] released a new National Biodefense Strategy, along with an order from President Donald Trump that directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to take the coordinating lead and establishes a cabinet-level biodefense steering committee…” (Schnirring, 9/18).

The Hill: Trump directs government to step up defenses against bioterrorism
“…Trump’s order establishes a Biodefense Steering Committee, led by Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, to coordinate defense efforts across the federal government, and tasks the national security adviser with reviewing threats and updating preparations on an annual basis. … The planning is meant to counter both man-made biological weapons and naturally occurring diseases like Ebola, Azar said…” (Sullivan, 9/18).

VOA News: U.S. Unveils New Biodefense Strategy
“U.S. President Donald Trump introduced the new national strategy for combating disease outbreaks and bioterrorism Tuesday, on the anniversary of the 2001 anthrax attacks on the United States that left five people dead. In a statement, the president said, ‘Biological threats emanate from many sources, and they know no borders’…” (Melton, 9/18).

Washington Times: Trump tasks HHS with ongoing review of biodefense
“President Trump signed a memo Tuesday ordering the government to come up with better defenses against bio-attacks, saying the threat of a coordinated attack, the accidental release of lab pathogens, or an outbreak of Ebola is ‘very real.’ Senior officials said Mr. Trump felt there wasn’t a clear line of accountability in case of an attack, and he wanted to make sure all parts of government are aware of their responsibilities…” (Howell, 9/18).