White House Fires CDC Director Amid Vaccine Policy Conflict, Multiple Resignations

Susan Monarez was formally fired as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by the White House after less than a month in the position, following a standoff with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over vaccine policy disagreements. Monarez's lawyers contested the legality of her dismissal, stating she had not resigned or received official termination notice and accused the administration of politicizing public health and undermining science. The dispute escalated when Monarez refused to support Kennedy's vaccine directives or remove senior CDC staff, leading to her ousting and the resignation of four other top CDC officials who cited concerns about the agency's politicization. The White House justified the firing by stating Monarez was not aligned with President Donald Trump's agenda of 'Making America Healthy Again.' Critics warn that these actions represent a dangerous dismantling of public health institutions and a silencing of experts, risking the country's health security. The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions is expected to oversee investigations into these high-profile departures.