FILE PHOTO: A sign sits as the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is pockmarked by bullet holes in the background, following a deadly shooting incident in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. August 9, 2025. REUTERS/Megan Varner/File Photo
Multiple scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention submitted their resignations on Wednesday afternoon after President Donald Trump fired the recently confirmed CDC director.
The Department of Health and Human Services posted on its official X account that Susan Monarez is "no longer director" of the agency, which happened about one month after she was confirmed for the job. The Washington Post reported that HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. asked Monarez to leave because she would not change the agency's vaccine policies.
Ali Rogan, journalist for PBS NewsHour, reported on X that three other high-ranking scientists from the agency also resigned, and more departures could follow.
The other departing scientists are Dan Jernigan, director of the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases; Deb Houry, the agency's chief medical officer; and Demetre Daskalakis, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.
BREAKING: At least 3 CDC leaders have resigned tonight:
Dan Jernigan, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases
Deb Houry, chief medical officer
Demetre Daskalakis, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
Possibly more TK https://t.co/QDs5woNO3c
— Ali Rogin (@AliRogin) August 27, 2025