'Targeted': Top Trump official disputes reported firing and says she 'will not resign'

Editor's note: This article has been updated to include a statement from attorneys representing CDC Director Susan Monarez released after the initial Washington Post article on Monarez's reported firing. The headline has also been updated to reflect the latest developments.

The Washington Post reported Wednesday that Susan Monarez, who only recently assumed the role of director at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), had been removed from her position, and officials confirmed the abrupt ousting to the outlet. However, a new statement issued following the Post's initial report from Monarez's attorneys, Abbe Lowell and Mark S. Zaid, asserted that Monarez had not been fired and was not planning to resign.

"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," the statement read. "For that, she has been targeted. Dr. Monarez has neither resigned nor received notification from the White House that she has been fired, and as a person of integrity and devoted to science, she will not resign."

Monarez, a veteran federal scientist, had been nominated by President Donald Trump after his initial choice, former GOP Rep. Dave Weldon (R-Fla.), was withdrawn amid criticism over his views on vaccines and autism.

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Monarez received her confirmation in July.

Several CDC staff members, who also spoke anonymously about internal affairs, indicated that a planned agency-wide call scheduled for Monday was canceled on Friday — adding to the sense of turmoil.

The attempted leadership shake-up comes as the agency grapples with the fallout from a violent incident earlier this month: a gunman attacked the CDC’s Atlanta headquarters on August 8, prompting a lockdown that ended in tragedy with the death of a police officer.

Law enforcement officials, neighbors, and the suspect’s father reported that he held the coronavirus vaccine responsible for his health issues.

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Meanwhile, the report of Monarez's removal led to strong reactions on social media, including from medical researchers.

CNN medical analyst Jonathan Reiner wrote on the social platform X: "Wow. This is possibly related to the aftermath of the shooting at the CDC and subsequent silence of the president. But its net effect now is to put full operational control of vaccine policy back in RFK’s hands. This is a big net negative for the country."

Abraar Karan, an infectious disease doctor and researcher at Stanford University, wrote: "Wow- another change in CDC leadership. We need transparency on why."

Political reporter Aaron Blake wrote: "IRS Commissioner Billy Long: Senate-confirmed, then ousted 53 days into the job.
CDC head Susan Monarez: Senate-confirmed, then reportedly ousted 28 days into the job."