Overview

• Susan Monarez was removed less than a month into her tenure, with HHS announcing she is no longer director and a White House spokesperson citing misalignment with the president’s agenda.
• Monarez’s attorneys say she has not resigned and is contesting the move, arguing she was targeted for refusing to approve unscientific directives and dismiss senior CDC staff.
• Top CDC leaders Debra Houry, Demetre Daskalakis, Daniel Jernigan and Jennifer Layden resigned as the turmoil escalated, with several escorted from headquarters and warning that science is being compromised.
• An HHS official says Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and aide Stefanie Spear pressed Monarez to resign and to fire staff, as Kennedy has already reshaped the vaccine advisory panel with more skeptical members.
• Bipartisan calls for oversight are mounting, Kennedy is slated to testify on Sept. 4, an ACIP meeting is expected next month, and two anonymous officials indicated Jim O’Neill could be tapped as a replacement.