President Trump’s administration is dealing with significant changes at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this week, as several agency directors were fired and numerous senior officials resigned.
On Wednesday, Susan Monares was dismissed from her position after she had a disagreement with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the director of the Department of Health and Human Services, regarding vaccine policy. Monares is currently contesting her termination.
Following Monares’ firing, Demetre C. Daskarakis, who leads the National Center for Immunology and Respiratory Diseases, along with Daniel Gernigan, director of the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, and Debra Ahali, the CDC’s chief medical officer, reportedly expressed concerns that the recent leadership transitions were undermining public health efforts.
Kennedy and the administration stood by the decision to let Monares go, with the White House stating that Trump has the authority to remove individuals who do not align with his administration’s objectives.
Some Republican senators are expressing concerns about the turmoil at the CDC, while Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who is a leading member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, is calling for Kennedy to resign from his role.
Daskalakis is expected to appear on ABC’s “This Week,” where the conversation may center on his resignation and the future direction of the CDC.
As lawmakers prepare to reconvene in the coming week after their August break, they will be focusing on the imminent fundraising battles, particularly in light of looming government shutdown deadlines.
Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) will feature on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures, aiming to highlight the forthcoming fundraising efforts in the Senate.
In other news, a fatal shooting occurred at Minneapolis Announcement Catholic School, resulting in the deaths of two children and injuries to 18 others. The suspect, 23-year-old Robin Westman, has been apprehended.
Lance Evans, Mississippi’s superintendent of education, is scheduled to join News Nation’s “Hill Sunday,” where he will discuss the recent shooting and its implications.
Trump continues his campaign against crime in the nation’s capital, with Attorney General Pam Bondy reporting arrests nearing 80 and the seizure of one illegal firearm overnight in Washington. So far, police have made over 1,450 arrests since the federal government’s involvement and the deployment of the National Guard.
These and other topics will likely be covered in the Sunday shows.
News Nation’s “The Hill Sunday”: Education Secretary Linda McMahon, Delaware Governor Matt Meyer (D), Mississippi Education Superintendent Lance Evans, and Professor Katherine Pacalk.
Fox News’ “Fox News Sunday”: US attorney for DC Jeanine Pirro, Senator Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), and Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.).
ABC’s “This Week”: Maryland Governor Wes Moore (D-MD), Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), and former CDC official Demetre Daskalakis.
NBC’s “Meet the Press”: Senators James Lankford (R-Okla.) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.).
CNN’s “State of the Union”: Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and Sebastian Gorka, an advisor to President Trump.
Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures”: White House trade advisor Peter Navarro, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY), Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), New York City candidate Curtis Sliwa (R), and former deputy national security adviser Victoria Coates.
