CDC director, chief medical officer ousted as RFK shakes up agency

Less than a month after taking the job, Susan Monarez, PhD, has been removed from her role as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), effective immediately.

The Washington Post was the first to report the news on Wednesday evening. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) later confirmed the report in a post on Twitter/X. However, no official reason for Monarez’s release was provided.

The Washington Post did confirm that she had been ousted at the behest of President Donald Trump’s administration. However, Monarez’s attorneys denied she was fired and also claimed she did not quit—possibly as they gear up to challenge her dismissal. 

In a statement to the outlet, her lawyers accused HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. of “weaponizing public health for political gain” and “putting millions of American lives at risk” with the ousting of Monarez.

They claim she was pushed out when she refused to “rubber-stamp unscientific, reckless directives and fire dedicated health experts,” adding that Monarez “chose protecting the public over serving a political agenda.”

On a related note, the Washington Post confirmed others had also been unceremoniously removed from their positions, including the CDC’s Chief Medical Officer Debra Houry, MD, who has been with the CDC in various roles since 2014. 

Monarez, a microbiologist with a career in public service, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on July 30 in a 51-47 vote, having been nominated by Trump. 

However, she was notably a second choice. The initial pick, Dave Weldon, MD, had his nomination withdrawn over fears he would not be confirmed due to his vaccine skepticism. 

For more on all of the above, read the Washington Post’s story at the link below.