The White House has abruptly replaced Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Susan Monarez, just a month after she was confirmed by the Senate. Her removal followed clashes with Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr over vaccine policy, fueling a wave of high-profile resignations inside the agency. Jim O’Neill, a close deputy to Kennedy and a former Silicon Valley investor, will now take over the troubled public health agency.
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Sudden Removal Sparks Uproar
Susan Monarez’s dismissal came after lawyers alleged she was fired for refusing to approve “unscientific, reckless directives” pushed by Robert F Kennedy Jr. The White House defended the move, saying Monarez was “not aligned with the president’s agenda.” Her departure has drawn widespread criticism, with lawmakers and public health leaders calling the firing dangerous at a critical time for U.S. health policy.
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RFK Jr’s Growing Influence
Kennedy, known for his controversial stance on vaccines, has expanded his control over the CDC since being appointed Health Secretary. In a Fox News interview, he said the agency must carry out Trump’s agenda, insisting that “the CDC is in trouble, needs to be fixed.” The New York Times reported Monarez and Kennedy clashed repeatedly over vaccine policies before her removal.
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Exodus Of Senior Leaders
The shake-up triggered a wave of resignations among senior CDC officials. Chief Medical Officer Debra Houry stepped down, warning of a “rise of misinformation” and opposing budget cuts. Daniel Jernigan, head of Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, and Demetre Daskalakis, head of Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, also quit. Reports indicate Dr Jennifer Layden has resigned as well, citing “weaponising of public health.”
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Legal Battle Ahead
Monarez’s attorneys called her firing unlawful and vowed to challenge it. “She chose protecting the public over serving a political agenda,” her legal team said. The White House dismissed the claim, stating she was removed because she opposed Trump’s vision. Senator Bernie Sanders condemned the move as “reckless” and called for an investigation into Kennedy’s influence at the CDC.
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FDA Alters Vaccine Rules
The controversy coincided with a major Food and Drug Administration announcement approving new Covid vaccines. Unlike earlier rollouts, eligibility has been restricted to seniors and high-risk groups, while children and healthy younger adults are excluded. Kennedy hailed the move on X, noting that prior vaccine authorizations had been rescinded.
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Monarez’s Short Tenure
A respected infectious disease researcher, Monarez was the first CDC chief in 50 years without a medical degree. During her brief tenure, she led staff through a gunman attack on the agency’s Atlanta headquarters, which left one police officer dead. Employees credited her with providing reassurance amid growing pressure from political leadership.
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Staff Resistance And Layoffs
Monarez’s ouster followed months of tension within the CDC. Earlier this month, nearly 600 staff were laid off, including teams working on infectious disease response and environmental health. Employees accused Kennedy of stoking hostility toward public health workers with his rhetoric. According to Richard Besser, a former acting CDC director, Monarez once told him she would never carry out anything “illegal” or that “flew in the face of science.”