7am The political takeover of America’s public health
Sep 4, 2025
Chaos erupts at the CDC following the abrupt firing of Director Susan Monarez. Insiders warn that political agendas are compromising public health guidance, impacting trust in vaccinations. With funding cuts and controversial appointments, the agency faces a leadership crisis and declining morale. Misinformation, particularly anti-vaccine rhetoric, poses a significant threat to public health initiatives. As the political landscape shifts, the future of vaccine policy and its global implications remain uncertain.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Firing Signals Deeper Policy Clash
- Susan Menares was fired less than a month after being sworn in amid conflicting accounts about resisting unscientific directives.
- Her firing highlights internal clashes over who controls vaccine policy and who gets access to the secretary.
Senior Officials Resigned In Protest
- Four senior CDC officials resigned together to signal alarm about political interference with science.
- They said they were blocked from briefing the secretary and felt politics was contaminating agency data and advice.
Advisory Board Overhaul Eroded Trust
- RFK Jr. replaced ACIP members with a smaller group that includes vaccine skeptics and critics of mRNA shots.
- That reconstitution eroded trust among career CDC scientists who feared their advice would be ignored.