Post Reports Trump firings spark CDC chaos, Fed uncertainty
15 snips
Aug 29, 2025 
Dan Diamond, a White House reporter specializing in public health, and Dan Merica, a politics reporter at The Washington Post, delve into the recent chaos at the CDC following the firing of director Susan Monarez over vaccine access disputes. They discuss how this turmoil reflects the Trump administration's approach to politics and public health, potentially undermining trust in health authorities. The conversation also touches on the implications for economic policy and the autonomy of institutions like the Federal Reserve, highlighting a worrying trend of political interference.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Political Pressure Overrode CDC Process
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pushed the CDC to approve major vaccine policy changes without the usual data review.
- Susan Menares refused to give blanket approval and was fired after resisting political pressure.
Reporter Broke Scoop From A Dental Chair
- Dan Diamond learned about the firing while in a dentist chair as his phone blew up with messages.
- He confirmed details by texting colleagues during the appointment and published the story after leaving the chair.
Interim CDC Pick Signals Shift
- The administration installed Jim O'Neill as interim CDC head, choosing a deputy seen as more pliable on vaccine messaging.
- O'Neill supports vaccines but criticized prior federal vaccine policies, signaling a political recalibration at CDC.