Fired CDC Director Susan Monarez Speaks Out on Contentious Tenure under RFK, Jr.

image via New Scientist

October 6, 2025, 12:00 PM

• •Monarez was fired for refusing to compromise scientific integrity.
• •Kennedy accused CDC employees of corruption and being influenced by the pharmaceutical industry.
• •Monarez believes the CDC director position is political but shouldn't be politically compromised.
• •Monarez grew up in a rural town and has faced many hardships which have shaped her perspective.

Susan Monarez, the former CDC director, was fired by President Trump after less than a month due to disagreements with health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., regarding vaccine recommendations and personnel. Monarez stated that she was dismissed for refusing to compromise scientific integrity, including firing scientists or pre-approving vaccine recommendations without data. Kennedy's actions and rhetoric, including accusations of corruption, led to Monarez's departure and sparked controversy about the politicization of public health and the erosion of trust in the CDC.

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