CDC director was ‘not aligned with the president’s vision,’ White House says

(NEXSTAR) – The White House has dismissed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Susan Monarez less than a month into her tenure, saying she was not aligned with President Donald Trump’s priorities.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the decision reflects deeper issues inside the agency.

“There’s a lot of trouble at CDC, and it’s going to require getting rid of some people over the long term,” Kennedy said.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration expects agency leadership to fully embrace President Trump’s agenda.

“If people are not aligned with the president’s vision and the secretary’s vision to make our country healthy again, then we will happily show them the door,” Leavitt said.

Monarez’s attorneys argued she was forced out for defending science and resisting political pressure.

Her exit has triggered a wave of resignations among senior CDC staff, creating further turmoil. Dr. Tyler B. Evans, CEO of the Wellness Equity Alliance, said the shake-up threatens public trust.

“You have effectively broken down a system where experts are no longer telling us anything,” Evans said. “And as a result, people will start making their own decisions  and people will get sicker.”

The White House says it is committed to restoring trust and credibility at the CDC, but with multiple senior leaders gone, the agency’s future direction remains unclear.