US CDC Director Fired, Four Senior Leaders Resign Amid Vaccine Policy Clash

The Trump administration has dismissed Susan Monarez, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), following her refusal to step down amid conflicts with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over vaccine policies. Kennedy, known for his skepticism about vaccines, pressured Monarez to resign after disputes regarding the approval and messaging of COVID-19 vaccines, leading to her termination by the White House. Monarez's lawyers condemned the firing as part of a broader politicization and dismantling of public health institutions, accusing Kennedy and the administration of endangering millions by undermining evidence-based health practices. The upheaval triggered the resignation of four other senior CDC leaders, deepening concerns about the stability and direction of the nation's public health agencies. The White House framed the removal as necessary to align CDC leadership with President Trump's "Making America Healthy Again" agenda. This controversy highlights the escalating tensions within the federal health apparatus under Kennedy's leadership and the Trump administration's aggressive approach to vaccine policy enforcement.