Schumer Calls for Trump’s Action on CDC Leadership

On Friday, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer from New York urged President Trump to dismiss Robert F. Kennedy Jr. from his role, along with CDC director Susan Monares and other high-profile officials within the Department of Health and Human Services.

The recent resignation of Monares, coupled with other official departures, has ignited significant controversy, leading to protests by hundreds of individuals outside the CDC’s Atlanta headquarters on Thursday.

“Donald Trump was aware that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was a poor choice to head American healthcare, yet he nominated him anyway,” Schumer stated.

Kennedy was confirmed by the Senate amid partisan division back in February, and Schumer’s remarks seem to indicate a direct challenge against Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell from Kentucky.

“RFK Jr.’s stubborn and misguided criticisms of science are likely to lead to more illnesses and fatalities among Americans. Each day, Americans are left vulnerable under the guidance of Robert Kennedy Jr., akin to the situation with the HHS secretary,” Schumer remarked.

He also noted last month that Kennedy did not adequately manage the worst measles epidemic the country has experienced in over three decades.

“Under your leadership, you have undermined vaccinations, depleted public health resources, and dismantled essential federal safeguards designed to protect the American populace,” Schumer conveyed in a letter to Kennedy dated July 11.

Kennedy’s decision to let Monares go—backed by the White House—followed their disagreement over the authorization of Covid-19 vaccinations, which in turn led to several other senior officials stepping down, including Demetre Daskarakis, who directed the National Center for Vaccination and Respiratory Diseases, and Daniel Jarnigan, head of the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases.

Monares’ legal team accused Kennedy of terminating her due to her refusal to comply with “scientific and reckless directives” against medical professionals.

In a defense of this decision in a Fox News interview, Kennedy commented, “The agency is in disarray, so it’s essential for us to make improvements, and that might mean changes in personnel.”