A Conversation With The Three CDC Leaders Who Resigned In Protest & MAHA Supporters

Sep 4, 2025

Guest

Travis Tripodi

Guest

Demetre Daskalakis, former CDC director, Debra Houry, the agency's ex-Chief Science Officer, and Dan Jernigan, a former infectious disease expert, discuss their resignations in protest against political pressures and management changes at the CDC. They dive into the philosophical debates surrounding health freedom, the impact of budget cuts on public health, and the complexities of restoring trust in health agencies post-COVID. The conversation also critiques the role of Big Pharma and highlights the urgent need for transparency in vaccine policies and decision-making.

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INSIGHT

Change As A Rorschach Test

The CDC changes under Kennedy act as a Rorschach test revealing deep political and cultural divides about public health.
Observers disagree whether reforms will improve health or undermine infectious disease protections.

INSIGHT

Refocus, Cuts, And Rising Scrutiny

Kennedy refocused CDC on outbreak response and cut chronic disease programs while slashing staff and budget.
Those moves coincided with rising outbreaks and intense public scrutiny about vaccines and mandates.

INSIGHT

Why CDC Guidance Matters Practically

CDC sets vaccine recommendations that shape availability and insurance coverage, so leadership changes have practical impact.
Conflicting guidance from CDC and professional societies increases public confusion about vaccine access.

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Americans today are engaging in a great Rorschach Test over public health–and its results may determine our future.

Are radical changes at the CDC and beyond moving us in the right direction for a healthier nation, or dangerously backwards?

Are we undoing the very system that has protected us for decades (from infectious disease)? Or upending a system that has made us sicker (chronic disease epidemic)?

Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) has succeeded in putting that question front and center. The movement encourages us to research for ourselves and make health decisions based on our unique family's needs. The days of lining up and getting your shot, no questions asked, are done. The days of trusting the experts appear to be winding down, too.

That theme became clear in our conversation with the CDC leaders who recently resigned in protest. They tendered their resignations in defiance over RFK Jr.’s management of the agency, including the the firing of his handpicked director Dr Susan Monarez.

It was a fascinating conversation, where we explored the role of the CDC, the Covid response, vaccine mandates, and the role of government in general.

Hosts:

Brinda Adhikari

Tom Johnson

Maggie Bartlett

Dr. Mark Abdelmalek

Guests:

Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, former director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at CDC

Dr. Debra Houry , the CDC's former Chief Science and Medical Officer

Dr. Dan Jernigan, former Director of the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases at CDC

Elizabeth Frost, MAHA Ohio, ran Kennedy grassroots in Ohio

Aaron Everitt, video essayist, substack Besides the Revolution, frequent contributor to House InHabit

Tracy Hollister, former Deputy Elector Director for Kennedy campaign, public policy researcher, MAHA advocate

Travis Tripodi, consultant in the health technology industry; libertarian; MAHA and Kennedy supporter

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