The White House has fired the director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Susan Monarez, after she refused to resign on Wednesday.
In a statement, it was indicated that Monarez was not aligned with the president's agenda, resulting in her removal from the health agency. The US health department's announcement of her departure was met with a statement from her legal team, asserting that she was not informed of her termination and would not step down.
Her attorneys alleged she was targeted for refusing to rubber-stamp unscientific, reckless directives and accused Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. of weaponising public health.
As announced by the health department, Monarez's termination led to the resignation of at least three senior CDC leaders, including Chief Medical Officer Debra Houry, who expressed concerns about the rise of misinformation regarding vaccines. Further resignations also occurred, with leaders citing being unable to serve due to the current climate in the department.
Dr. Monarez's appointment followed an tumultuous nomination process in which President Donald Trump had initially withdrawn his first nominee, attributing concerns to the nominee's controversial views. Monarez, known for her background in infectious disease research, was the first CDC director not to hold a medical degree in half a century.
Following her sudden dismissal, several officials voiced heightened apprehension regarding public health strategies and vaccination policies under Kennedy, who is perceived as a vaccine skeptic.
