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Washington — Former CDC Directors Condemn Kennedy’s Leadership, Warn of Dangers to Public Health
Nine former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention directors have issued a scathing rebuke of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s leadership, alleging his actions are “endangering every American’s health.” This follows the controversial firing of CDC Director Susan Monarez last week.
In a New York Times op-ed, the former directors, who served under both Democratic and Republican administrations, expressed alarm at Kennedy’s recent decisions. They cited the cancellation of medical research investments and changes to a key vaccine advisory committee as particularly concerning.
The firing of Dr. Monarez, which triggered the resignation of other top CDC officials, has further intensified the crisis.
The former directors praised Dr. Monarez for defending the agency and public health, warning that her departure and the loss of other leaders will severely hamper the CDC’s ability to protect Americans. They urged Congress to exercise its oversight authority over the Department of Health and Human Services.
Senator Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican and key vote in Kennedy’s confirmation, has called for an indefinite postponement of the upcoming vaccine advisory committee meeting and promised oversight from the Senate HELP Committee. He emphasized the importance of protecting children’s health amid allegations that it is being endangered, and called for “radical transparency” in the investigation.
Kennedy, appearing on Fox News, declined to comment on personnel matters but claimed the CDC has “problems,” citing COVID-19 protocols as an example. He spoke of a “deeply embedded malaise” at the agency and the need for strong leadership to implement President Trump’s agenda.
Dr. Céline Gounder, a medical contributor and public health editor, connected the op-ed’s timing to Dr.
Monarez’s firing and expressed concern over politics and ideology overriding public health and science. She pointed to the firing of federal health workers, the weakening of public health programs, and vaccine hesitancy amidst a measles outbreak in Texas as evidence of declining trust in public health infrastructure.
Kennedy is scheduled to testify before the Senate Finance Committee on President Trump’s health care agenda on Thursday.