A standoff over the firing of Susan Monarez, Director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has deepened, with Monarez’s lawyers claiming that she will not depart unless President Donald Trump himself removes her.

Monarez, an infectious Disease Specialist who was confirmed as CDC Chief just a month ago, was fired on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, according to a statement from the Department of Health and Human Services, which gave no reason for the departure.

A Spokesperson for Trump, Kush Desai, said, “As her attorney’s statement makes abundantly clear, Susan Monarez is not aligned with the President’s agenda of Making America Healthy Again.”

“Since Susan Monarez refused to resign despite informing HHS leadership of her intent to do so, the White House has terminated Monarez from her position with the CDC.”
Kush Desai

However, the apparently ousted Director has refused to be removed. Her lawyers claim that while the White House has said that she is “not aligned with the President’s agenda,” only the President himself can dismiss her.

Monarez’s lawyer Mark Zaid posted on Bluesky, “As a presidential appointee, senate confirmed officer, only the President himself can fire her.”

Zaid stated that instead, Monarez was informed of her firing by staff in the presidential personnel office. Zaid said that notification was “legally deficient” and that Monarez will remain as the public health agency’s leader.

“For this reason, we reject notification Dr. Monarez has received as legally deficient and she remains as CDC Director. We have notified the White House Counsel of our position.”
Mark Zaid

As Monarez is a Senate-confirmed official (the first CDC Director to receive this stamp), removal from office can only come from President or an impeachment process by Congress.

The decision to remove Monarez has sparked further turmoil within the CDC, with four of its other senior leaders also resigning over what they condemned as political interference in their work, budget cuts and the spread of misinformation under the Trump administration.

The four senior officials to resign from the CDC are Debra Houry, the Chief Medical Officer; Daniel Jernigan, the Vaccine Safety Chief; Jennifer Layden, Head of the office for public health data; and Demetre Daskalakis, who ran the office that issues vaccine recommendations.

The CDC is ultimately overseen by Robert F Kennedy Jr, the US Health Secretary who is known for founding an anti-vaccine group and in his current role has cut funding for medical research, removed scientific advisers and on Wednesday restricted the use of COVID vaccines for Americans.

Monarez’s lawyers said in a statement that first, it was independent advisory committees and career experts. Then it was the dismissal of seasoned scientists. “Now, Secretary Kennedy and HHS have set their sights on weaponizing public health for political gain and putting millions of American lives at risk,” they said.

“When CDC Director Susan Monarez refused to rubber-stamp unscientific, reckless directives and fire dedicated health experts, she chose protecting the public over serving a political agenda. For that, she has been targeted.”
Monarez’s lawyers

Monarez and Kennedy clashed over vaccine policy, while CDC leaders were angry and upset over how the administration handled a deadly situation earlier this month when a gunman fired upon the agency’s headquarters in Atlanta, killing a police officer, according to an American news agency.

Monarez’s Ouster Deemed “Outrageous”

On social media, Bernie Sanders, an independent US Senator who serves as the ranking member on the health, education, labor and pensions committee, said that the attempt to fire Monarez was “outrageous” and demanded a hearing. “Vaccines save lives. Period,” Sanders said on X.

US Senator Bill Cassidy, a Republican of Louisiana, called for the Senate’s health committee to provide oversight of the firing of CDC Director, Susan Monarez. “These high profile departures will require oversight by the HELP Committee,” Cassidy said in a tweet.