CDC Director Susan Monarez Fired Amidst Resignations at Health Agency

Mon Oct 20 2025 18:20:24 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The White House has terminated CDC Director Susan Monarez, citing a lack of alignment with the president’s agenda. This comes amid multiple resignations within the health agency, raising concerns over public health management.

In a significant move, the White House has dismissed CDC Director Susan Monarez, accusing her of not aligning with President Donald Trump's agenda. Monarez's lawyers have stated that she was pressured for refusing to endorse unscientific directives. Following her termination, several senior officials at the CDC have also resigned, igniting fears over the agency's future and its response to increasing misinformation about vaccines. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been criticized for allegedly weaponizing public health policy during this turbulent transition.

The White House has announced the firing of Susan Monarez, the director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), following her refusal to resign recently. In an official statement, the White House claimed that she was not aligned with the president's agenda and was removed from her position at the health agency.

Earlier, the US health department had declared her departure, prompting an immediate response from Monarez's legal representatives. They contended that she was unprepared for her dismissal, asserting that she would not resign. Monarez faced accusations for not supporting what were described as unscientific, reckless directives, with claims emerging that Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was weaponizing public health in his decision-making.

The White House reiterated that Monarez's lack of alignment with the president's goals was a significant factor in her termination. A longtime federal bureaucrat, Monarez had only recently been confirmed as CDC director in a Senate vote that fell along party lines in July, succeeding a withdrawn nomination of former Congressman Dave Weldon.

Following Monarez's controversial exit, at least three other senior leaders within the CDC have also resigned, including Chief Medical Officer Debra Houry, who highlighted the rise of misinformation regarding vaccinations and opposed proposed budget cuts to the agency. Other notable resignations include Daniel Jernigan, a leader in infectious diseases, and Demetre Daskalakis, who cited a conflict with current public health policies.

The departures occur against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny over health practices and responses under the leadership of Kennedy, known for his skeptical views on vaccines. There are additional reports suggesting that Dr. Jennifer Layden, a director at the CDC, has also left her position.

Adding to the agency's challenges, on the same day as Monarez's removal, the FDA approved new COVID-19 vaccines while limiting eligibility to seniors, effectively rescinding broad mandates previously set during the Biden administration.

Monarez's tenure as CDC director was significant; she was the first in 50 years without a medical degree, having a background in infectious disease research. Her short time in leadership has been marked by efforts to support CDC employees after a gunman attacked the agency's headquarters in Atlanta over fears related to vaccines.

Her exit follows a recent announcement that a union representing CDC workers has laid off around 600 employees, raising further alarms about the agency's handling of infectious diseases.