Dismissal of CDC director by Trump administration sparks controversy
The White House confirmed Wednesday the dismissal of Susan Monarez, the recently appointed director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Her removal marks the latest twist in an escalating clash between the scientist and Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., a vocal vaccine skeptic in Donald Trump’s administration.
Monarez, who had been in office for less than a month, rejected claims that she had resigned, accusing the secretary of trying to sideline her for refusing to support policies that “put millions of Americans at risk.” The White House spokesperson Kush Desai stated that Monarez “was not aligned with the president’s agenda” and that her refusal to resign led to her dismissal.
Her lawyers countered that she had neither resigned nor received official notification of her termination. They described her as a principled professional committed to science and accused Kennedy Jr. of “politicizing public health.” Reports suggest Monarez was pressured to approve directives she deemed “unscientific and dangerous,” and to dismiss senior experts within the agency.
The announcement comes amid sweeping reforms to U.S. health policy led by Kennedy Jr., who has limited access to Covid-19 vaccines and dismissed several top public health officials. The move has triggered a wave of resignations at the CDC, with senior figures warning that political pressure is undermining scientific integrity.
Monarez had only recently been confirmed by the U.S. Senate after the administration abandoned its initial nominee due to political opposition. Her departure also follows heightened tensions at the CDC, which was targeted earlier this month by an armed attacker opposed to vaccines. Hundreds of current and former health officials have accused the Trump administration of endangering lives by spreading misinformation.
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