CDC Director Fired Amid Exoduses at Health Agency

Sat Sep 13 2025 13:49:39 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Susan Monarez is removed from the CDC after disputing directives from the White House, leading to resignations of senior officials over concerns regarding public health measures.

Susan Monarez was fired from her position as the director of the CDC for allegedly not aligning with the administration's agenda. Her termination was described by her attorneys as a targeted move against her refusal to comply with directives deemed unscientific. The announcement prompted at least three senior officials to resign from the agency amid concerns over the approach to public health and vaccine misinformation under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

CDC Director Fired Amid Exoduses at Health Agency

The White House has announced the firing of Dr. Susan Monarez, the director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), after she refused to resign. The administration stated her removal was due to her not being 'aligned with the president's agenda.'

This decision sparked a swift response from Dr. Monarez's legal team, who claimed she was targeted for resisting pressure to endorse directives they consider scientifically unfounded. The attorneys also accused Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. of 'weaponizing public health.'

Following the announcement, three senior officials from the CDC tendered their resignations. Among them is Chief Medical Officer Debra Houry, who has voiced concerns about the increasing spread of misinformation regarding vaccines, as well as opposing proposed budget cuts that could hinder the agency's capabilities.

Dr. Monarez, who was confirmed by the Senate in July, is notable for being the first CDC director in fifty years without a medical background, instead having a solid foundation in infectious disease research. Her brief tenure witnessed a crisis as she consoled staff after a violent attack on the CDC headquarters by an individual who voiced grievances related to COVID-19 vaccines.

The departures and the turbulent environment at the CDC have raised alarms amongst public health experts, particularly regarding the integrity of vaccination policies under the current leadership.