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LetMyPeopleVote

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35. MaddowBlog-As chaos grips the CDC and its leadership, senator calls for RFK Jr.'s resignation
Thu Aug 28, 2025, 03:52 PM
Aug 2025

As one former public health official summarized, “The weakening of the CDC leaves us less safe and more vulnerable as a country.”

As chaos grips the CDC, its director is fired after less than a month, and our public-health infrastructure unravels, @murray.senate.gov had a compelling pitch:

“We cannot let RFK Jr. burn what’s left of the CDC and our other critical health agencies to the ground." www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddo...

Steve Benen (@stevebenen.com) 2025-08-28T13:03:38.619Z

https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/cdc-susan-monarez-rfk-jr-resignation-rcna227699

Then, later Wednesday evening, NBC News reported:

The White House fired back shortly afterward, formally terminating Monarez. ‘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,’ White House spokesman Kush Desai said.


The statement in question from Monarez’s attorneys noted that she’d been “targeted” after she “refused to rubber-stamp unscientific, reckless directives and fire dedicated health experts ... protecting the public over serving a political agenda.”.....

The developments, however, were just the beginning, not the end, of a dramatic shake-up at an agency that used to be celebrated as the global leader in its field. In fact, as NBC News’ report added, Monarez’s ouster “sparked a near-immediate leadership exodus from the CDC.” The resignations that followed Monarez’s firing included:

Dr. Debra Houry, the CDC’s chief medical officer
Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
Dr. Daniel Jernigan, the director of the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases
Dr. Jen Layden, director of the Office of Public Health Data, Surveillance and Technology

Daskalakis, in particular, released an unrestrained resignation letter, which read in part, “I have never experienced such radical non-transparency, nor have I seen such unskilled manipulation of data to achieve a political end rather than the good of the American people.”.....

Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, meanwhile, directed her attention toward the one official who appears to be chiefly responsible for the crisis in the public health community: HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Director Monarez is not the problem, RFK Jr. is,” Murray said. “If there are any adults left in the White House, it’s well past time they face reality and fire RFK Jr. He is a dangerous man who is determined to abuse his authority to act on truly terrifying conspiracy theories and disinformation — leaving us unprepared for the next deadly pandemic and snuffing out potential cures while he’s at it.”

The senator concluded, “We cannot let RFK Jr. burn what’s left of the CDC and our other critical health agencies to the ground — he must be fired. I hope my Republican colleagues who have come to regret their vote to confirm RFK Jr. will join me in calling for his immediate termination from office.”

Recommendations

2 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

They need a sound bite as well JustAnotherGen Aug 2025 #1
Yup senseandsensibility Aug 2025 #2
"We need fast, united, and decisive messaging..." Grins Aug 2025 #3
I remember people quoting that during the "dubya" administration senseandsensibility Aug 2025 #4
He is just too much trouble. Sneederbunk Aug 2025 #5
First I've heard of it leftstreet Aug 2025 #6
And of course much of the media senseandsensibility Aug 2025 #7
Murray ignored Starbeach Aug 2025 #43
I'm sure there are at least 3 or 4 of them who are willing to stand up and shout about it. SMH. kysrsoze Aug 2025 #8
Contact your elected reps on every level of gov and ask your physicians to speak up as well. Passages Aug 2025 #9
Be real helpful if Senator Chuck Schumer joined. Emile Aug 2025 #10
I'm not holding my breath. Scrivener7 Aug 2025 #14
RFK Jr. is a special kind of crazy. Just as much as Trump but more so in many areas. twodogsbarking Aug 2025 #11
Contained stage left Aug 2025 #23
No, like the shooter at the Catholic school. They said he was contained. twodogsbarking Aug 2025 #28
I know. It seems like the only right thing to do. ananda Aug 2025 #12
To the "We can't do anything!1! We're the party out of power!!1!" crowd, THIS is something we can do. Scrivener7 Aug 2025 #13
Thank you. senseandsensibility Aug 2025 #17
There is so much low hanging fruit for us to pick and we're just not doing it. Scrivener7 Aug 2025 #18
+1 dalton99a Aug 2025 #20
Getting Senators on board would be an achievement angrychair Aug 2025 #15
I will send an email to Mossfern Aug 2025 #21
Good idea. senseandsensibility Aug 2025 #22
Well angrychair Aug 2025 #29
I keep hoping his own lifestyle choices will take him out IronLionZion Aug 2025 #16
Kick dalton99a Aug 2025 #19
Get BRAVE and get BUSY, Democrats! Paladin Aug 2025 #24
Count me in. Whatever it takes to stop the tyranny. Beowulf42 Aug 2025 #25
I can't find it. Anybody know where we can see her announcement? Edit: Wait, found something. betsuni Aug 2025 #26
K&R UTUSN Aug 2025 #27
Senator Murray gets into a heated exchange with RFK. Emile Aug 2025 #30
It's true Dems have perfected the art of rolling over and playing dead, but Fil1957 Aug 2025 #31
Welcome to DU senseandsensibility Aug 2025 #32
Thanks! Fil1957 Aug 2025 #40
SHOULD BE ALL OF THEM orangecrush Aug 2025 #33
All should but that would require strong leadership in Senate....dont think we have it. Nanjeanne Aug 2025 #34
I try not to be a Schumer basher senseandsensibility Aug 2025 #37
Bernie, as minority leader on health, education and labor just called for a commission. Nanjeanne Aug 2025 #39
I'm glad he did that senseandsensibility Aug 2025 #44
MaddowBlog-As chaos grips the CDC and its leadership, senator calls for RFK Jr.'s resignation LetMyPeopleVote Aug 2025 #35
Very good background info senseandsensibility Aug 2025 #36
But, but, but... GiqueCee Aug 2025 #38
Demanding his resignation and the resignation of all of Trump's cabinet members BannonsLiver Aug 2025 #41
It's on her web site for those who haven't seen Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Aug 2025 #42
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