In July, the Senate approved Susan Monarez to head the U.S. public health agency. Getty Images
The White House announced Wednesday that Susan Monarez, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has been fired. Officials said she refused to resign after being asked to step down. The statement explained that she was “not aligned with the president’s agenda” and had therefore been removed.
Earlier that day, the U.S. health department announced her departure. However, Dr. Monarez’s lawyers disputed that claim. They said she had not been informed of any dismissal and would not resign voluntarily. They argued she faced removal for resisting “unscientific, reckless directives” and for defending health experts from being forced out.
A Sudden Chain Reaction
Within hours of the announcement, three senior CDC officials resigned. Chief Medical Officer Debra Houry, who often spoke about the dangers of misinformation, left the agency. She warned in a letter about rising false claims around vaccines and voiced opposition to planned budget cuts.
Daniel Jernigan, head of the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, also resigned. He cited the current political climate in the department as his reason. Demetre Daskalakis, head of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said he could no longer serve due to the “ongoing weaponising of public health.”
Reports also suggest Dr. Jennifer Layden, director of the Office of Public Health Data, has stepped down.
Concerns Over Vaccine Policy
The resignations follow growing criticism of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. His history as a vaccine skeptic has raised fears about the agency’s approach to immunisations.
On the same day, the Food and Drug Administration approved new Covid vaccines but restricted their use. Seniors can still receive them, but most younger adults and children without health conditions are excluded. Kennedy defended the move online, noting that emergency authorizations for Covid vaccines had ended.
Monarez’s Short Tenure
Dr. Monarez, a career scientist with expertise in infectious diseases, took over leadership of the CDC just one month ago. She was the first director in five decades without a medical degree. Her appointment came after former president Donald Trump withdrew his original nominee, Dave Weldon, over controversy surrounding vaccine comments.
During her short time in office, Dr. Monarez faced intense challenges. She comforted staff after a gunman attacked the CDC’s Atlanta headquarters earlier this month. Hundreds of bullets struck the building, and one police officer was killed in the attack. Investigators later linked the gunman’s actions to conspiracy theories about vaccines.
Layoffs and Morale Concerns
The turmoil adds to unrest inside the agency. Just last week, a union representing CDC employees revealed that nearly 600 workers had been laid off. Those cuts affected employees working on bird flu, environmental research, and public records. Current and former staff have accused Kennedy of fuelling hostility against health professionals with his anti-vaccine comments.
The White House has not announced who will take over leadership of the CDC.
