Last week the newly-confirmed head of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Susan Monarez, was abruptly fired by President Trump, barely a month after receiving her Senate confirmation in July. Although Monarez was new to CDC as of the second Trump term, her career in high-level government positions runs back to through the Biden, Trump I, and Obama administrations.
Upon announcement of Monarez’s firing, the press was immediately filled with reports of “turmoil” at the agency. At least four high-ranking officials resigned in protest (even as Monarez tried to hang on). In addition, large numbers of staffers came forward (anonymously) to complain of the supposedly “anti-science” approach being taken by Trump and his HHS Secretary, RFK, Jr. Here is a piece from ABC News from August 28 with some choice quotes:
"How are we supposed to function as an agency if everything has to run through a man who doesn't believe in basic scientific principles?" a CDC staffer told ABC News.
“[W]e feel hopeless now," a CDC employee told ABC News. "Hopeless for our own research and work to continue, hopeless for our own personal futures, but most importantly hopeless for the future of America's children and what sort of awful future we are setting them up to inherit -- and for what gain or profit?"
Another CDC staffer said, "I'm glad to see the pushback from senior leadership standing up for public health -- I'm also upset and concerned about what this means for the fate of CDC and the health of the people we serve."
And then a large coterie of the staff held a “clap out” to show support for the departing officials. From the ABC News piece:
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