The White House faces the CDC crisis after the director of dismissal Susan Monarez who clashed with RFK JR, several officials resign

The White House rejected the director of the CDC, Susan Monarez, following her opposition to the changes proposed in the policy of vaccines led by the Secretary of Health, Robert F Kennedy Jr Monarez, would have resisted the new directives, arguing that they contradicts established scientific evidence.

In the wake of his withdrawal, the head of the CDC, Demeter Daskalakis, submitted his resignation, declaring on X that he was “Impossible to serve in the current environment.” He raised concerns about a lack of transparency within the agency under the direction of Kennedy. Daskalakis is not the only one – three other senior officials also resigned to protest the announcement by Kennedy from new policies that restrict access to the COVVI -19 vaccine.

However, the White House remains imperturbable. Responding to the controversy, the press secretary of American president Donald Trump, Karoline Leavitt, defended the position of the administration, saying that President Trump and secretary Kennedy focus on Restoration of confidence, transparency and credibility to the CDC. She firmly added that those who did not want to line up with this vision “We would have shown the door.”

CDC director Susan Monarez was dismissed from her post by the White House after she opposed the proposal for modifications to the vaccine policy introduced by the Secretary of Health, Robert F Kennedy Jr. Monarez, resisted the revisions, arguing that they were incompatible with the established scientific evidence and could undermine public health. Its position has created tensions within the administration, especially since Kennedy has led to reforms that would limit access to the COVVI -19 vaccine – a decision criticized by several health officials. His refusal to support the new management has led to its termination, signaling a clear message from the administration according to which the alignment with its program of evolution of the health policy is compulsory. The dismissal has since triggered resignations from other CDC officials. Monarez was confirmed by the Senate as CDC director less than a month ago.

Demeter Daskalakis, director of the National CDC Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, resigned to protest against changes in vaccination policy introduced by the health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. In a letter of public resignation, Daskalakis expressed a deep concern that the CDC was used to promote non -scientific policies. He criticized the lack of transparency and said that the CDC was no longer allowed to engage in an open scientific debate. “” However, after a great contemplation and a reflection on the developments and recent perspectives highlighted by the secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., I find that the opinions that he and his staff shared to challenge my capacity to continue in my current role at the agency and the service of the health of the American people. Enough, it’s enough, “he wrote in his letter. He described the current environment as “untenable” and said that the agency was treated as a political tool. Clarifying that his resignation was not linked to the recent CDC shooting, Daskalakis closed with a personal declaration, claiming that he had resigned to honor his grandfather, who died against fascism to Greece.

Daskalakis is not the only one – three other senior officials also resigned to protest the announcement by Kennedy from new policies that restrict access to the COVVI -19 vaccine.

Debra Houry: The former head doctor of the CDC and deputy director, Houry resigned in August 2025, citing the disinformation of vaccines, budget cuts and political interference. An experienced and university emergency doctor, she considered these problems to undermine the mission of the CDC.

Daniel Jernigan: A 30 -year -old CDC veteran and an expert in pandemic preparation, Jernigan resigned in August 2025 after the withdrawal of Monarez. He opposed what he described as an increasing politicization and the erosion of scientific confidence within the agency.

Jennifer Layden: Director of Public Health Data and Technology, Layden resigned in August 2025 Warning of political influence on science. Formerly doctor of Illinois, she directed the efforts of the CDC to modernize the monitoring of epidemics.

The White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to the CDC’s current crisis, but looked imperturbable. She responded to the resignation of Demeter Daskalakis by criticizing her use of non -sexist terms, saying, “”He identifies pregnant women as “pregnant people,‘ So he’s not someone we want in this administration. “” She said that officials who are not aligned with President Trump president and the health secretary of the Health Secretary RFK Jr. would be “with pleasure”. Leavitt added that those who were doing their job and supported the vision of the administration should have nothing to fear.

Jim O’Neill, a biotechnology investor and former speech editor of the Health Department under George W Bush, was confirmed by the White House as a new acting director of the CDC, Guardian reported. O’Neill is currently assistant to the Kennedy Jr. Health Secretary in HHS.