CDC Director Susan Monarez Exits Less Than Month After Swearing-In

Susan Monarez was removed from her position as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention less than a month after being sworn in, with her tenure lasting about four weeks. Nominated by President Donald Trump following the withdrawal of his initial pick, Monarez's departure comes amid heightened tensions after an August 8 shooting at the CDC's Atlanta campus, which left one police officer and the shooter dead. The shooting, motivated by conspiracy theories about the coronavirus vaccine, has left CDC staff anxious, and a scheduled agency-wide call meant to address safety concerns was canceled shortly before her removal. Monarez had previously sought to reassure CDC employees about the dangers of misinformation during a virtual meeting days after the shooting. Her firing returns the CDC to a leaderless state, echoing prior instability in the Trump administration's staffing, and raising concerns about preparedness as the U.S. approaches the fall and winter respiratory virus season. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. expressed confidence in the remaining CDC team to continue protecting Americans from infectious diseases.