The firing of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Susan Monarez on Wednesday set off an internet frenzy as scientists roundly condemned the move.
Monarez was confirmed as the CDC director on July 29 after President Donald Trump withdrew a nominee who faced significant pushback due to his skepticism about vaccines. Some advocates hoped Monarez, a career public health professional, would be a check on Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Several of the CDC's top scientists also left the agency after Monarez was fired, according to reports.
A number of scientists and observers reacted to the news on social media.
"Wow," Jonathan Reiner, a medical professor at the Georgetown University School of Medicine, wrote on X.
"This is possibly related to the aftermath of the shooting at the CDC and subsequent silence of the president," Reiner added. "But its net effect now is to put full operational control of vaccine policy back in RFK’s hands. This is a big net negative for the country."
"Susan Monarez is a career scientist with a history of integrity and evidence based leadership," Dr. Nisha Patel wrote in a post on her personal X account. "She was confirmed as CDC Director less than a month ago. And RFK Jr. has already forced her out. Not because she failed the job, but because she follows the science, not the grift. His 'radical transparency' is a sham. This is about control, not truth. Step out of line, and you’re gone."
"She was competent and an advocate for public health, both of which are liabilities in this administration," Ed Belongia, an infectious disease epidemiologist, posted on Bluesky.
"RFK Jr. is really out there 'building trust.'" Dr. Elizabeth Jacobs, professor emerita of epidemiology at the University of Arizona, wrote on Bluesky.
And for those of you keeping track, Monarez lased 2.4 Scaramuccis, according to a post on Bluesky from Steve Benen, a producer for MSNBC's 'The Rachel Maddow Show."