The White House addressed President Susan Monares’ termination as director of the Centers for Disease Control on Thursday, following the turmoil it caused within the agency and on Capitol Hill.
“The president has the right to dismiss individuals who do not align with his objectives,” said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt during a briefing.
Leavitt mentioned that President Kennedy or Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. would announce a successor “shortly.”
“President Kennedy and his secretary are dedicated to reinstating trust, transparency, and credibility at the CDC by refocusing on their fundamental mission of enhancing the public health system and safeguarding communications regarding illnesses, as well as investing in new strategies to prevent future threats,” Leavitt explained.
Her comments came the day after the Department of Health and Human Services released a statement around 5:30 PM EDT, stating, “Susan Monares is no longer the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”
About two hours later, attorney Mark Zaid from Washington, DC, disclosed a statement on behalf of Monares, who claimed, “I resigned or was not notified about my termination from the White House.”
His statement noted that when CDC Director Susan Monares declined to follow scientifically unsound directives, she prioritized public safety over political aims, making her a target.
On Wednesday, several other CDC officials also resigned, raising alarms that the administration is politicizing public health.
Concerns regarding the repercussions for public health agencies have been voiced by lawmakers from both sides of the aisle.
Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who chairs the Senate’s Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, stated that the CDC’s staffing changes would “require oversight.” Cassidy had voted to confirm Kennedy back in February.
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) referred to Monares’ dismissal as “outrageous.”
Monares was confirmed by the Senate with a narrow vote of 51-47 just a month ago.
