Susan Monarerez, president of President Donald Trump to be director of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), testifies during his confirmation audience before the Senatorial Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee in the Dirksen Senate Board of the Senate Board on June 25, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Kayla Bartkowski | Getty images
The director of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Susan Monarez left the role only a few weeks after being sworn in, the Department of Health and Social Services announced on Wednesday.
In an article on X, the department said that Monarez was longer director and thanked it for “its service devoted to the American people”.
In a statement, lawyer Mark Zaid said he represented Monarez and that she had not yet been dismissed or had resigned, adding that she would not resign.
Wednesday, at least four other officials also submitted their resignations in a massive upheaval of the agency: Dr. Debra Houry, the chief doctor of the CDC; Dr DEMETRE DASKALAKIS, Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory DIEESES; Dr. Daniel Jernigan, director of the national center for emerging and zoonotic infectious diseases; And Dr. Jennifer Layden, director of the Office of Public Health, Surveillance and Technology.
Houry, in a letter of resignation obtained by NBC News, wrote on the dangers of the disinformation of vaccines and said that proposed budget cuts and reorganization plans would have a negative impact on the CDC’s ability to resolve conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, cancer, deafness and mental health problems.
In his letter of resignation, also obtained by NBC News, Daskalakis said that he was leaving the agency “due to the current armament of public health”.
Monarez, a long -standing federal government scientist, was sworn in on July 31. She is the first director of the CDC to be confirmed by the Senate following a new law adopted during the pandemic which obliged the legislators to approve the candidates for the role.
The Washington Post pointed out for the first time to oust on Wednesday.
His departure arrives at a tumultuous moment for the agency, which is in shock from the attack of a shooter against its headquarters in Atlanta on August 8. A police officer died during the shooting.
On Friday, Monarez canceled a meeting with CDC workers who had been scheduled for Monday, according to an email obtained by NBC News. She said she wanted to assure the staff that the agency strives to restore their “confidence in the safety and safety of all the workplaces of the CDC”.
President Donald Trump appointed Monarez after having retired his first choice to direct the CDC, the former member of the Republican Congress Dave Weldon, a few hours before his confirmation hearing. Weldon was criticized for his opinions on vaccines.
– Michele Luhn de CNBC contributed to this report.