CDC boss Susan Monarez's attorneys say she was not fired: 'Neither resigned nor...'

After WaPo reported Susan Monarez was fired as CDC Director, her lawyers denied it, blaming HHS Sec. RFK Jr. of targeting her for resisting politics.

Updated on: Aug 28, 2025, 05:44:57 IST

By Shamik Banerjee

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Amid the report by the Washington Post that Susan Monarez, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), was fired on Wednesday, her attorneys have released a statement claiming that she was not fired.

Susan Monarez, director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (Bloomberg)

Mark S Zaid and Abbe David Lowell, who represent Susan Monarez, issued a statement saying that Monarez has neither resigned nor been fired. The statement came just hours after WaPo reported, citing Trump administration sources, that Monarez has been fired. The report claimed that a call with CDC employees nationwide was canceled owing to the firing.

In the statement, Monarez's attorneys seem to launch an attack on the Health and Human Services and its Secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr.

It read: "First it was independent advisory committees and career experts. Then it was the dismissal of seasoned scientists. Now, Secretary Kennedy and HHS have set their sights on weaponizing public health for political gain and putting millions of American lives at risk."

"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. 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," it added.

Here's the full statement:

Also read: Why Susan Monarez was fired as CDC director weeks after Trump's nomination. Theories surface

The news of Monarez's firing came just a month after she was sworn in as the Director of CDC in July. In its report, the Washington Post did not state why Monarez was fired.

Susan Monarez is a public health expert and biodefense specialist who became CDC Director after senior roles at HHS and OSTP.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shamik Banerjee
Shamik is a journalist covering the United States for Hindustan Times. He has more than four years of experience reporting on US politics, sports, and major breaking stories across fast-moving cycles. He previously worked at Times Now and Sportskeeda, building strong newsroom instincts and digital storytelling skills. At HT.com, he focuses on day-to-day coverage of US political developments while also handling high-impact stories that demand speed, accuracy, clarity, and context under pressure. Shamik has extensive experience covering NFL game days over the past two years, coordinating live updates, analysis, and explainers. He is particularly drawn to large news moments such as US elections and the Super Bowl, where he thrives at the news desk working alongside the team. He holds degrees in Media Studies from Jamia Millia Islamia and English Literature from Jadavpur University. Before entering journalism, he briefly worked in digital marketing and political consultancy roles. Currently a Senior Content Producer at HT Digital, he is driven by curiosity, discipline, and a constant desire to explore new and obscure topics. Outside work, he enjoys reading, films, sports, and learning continuously.Read More

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