Overview

• White House spokesperson Kush Desai said Monarez was terminated after she declined to resign, saying she was not aligned with the president’s health agenda.
• Monarez’s attorneys said she has neither resigned nor received formal notice of dismissal and they are contesting the ouster.
• Four senior CDC officials — Debra Houry, Demetre Daskalakis, Daniel Jernigan and Jen Layden — resigned within hours, citing politicization of public health and recent policy shifts.
• The leadership turmoil coincided with the FDA narrowing eligibility for the latest COVID-19 vaccines, a change aligned with broader moves reshaping federal vaccine guidance.
• Monarez was confirmed by the Senate on July 29 and sworn in July 31, serving less than a month as CDC director as HHS reshaped vaccine advisory roles and the agency reported staff cuts and safety concerns following the Aug. 8 shooting at CDC headquarters.