URGENT UPDATE: U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro has called for the immediate firing of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) after the controversial ouster of Susan Monarez, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). DeLauro claims Kennedy’s actions have “set us back decades” in public health by dismissing key scientific experts.
This demand follows the abrupt removal of Monarez, who was only recently confirmed as CDC director. The White House stated that Monarez was no longer in alignment with President Donald Trump’s agenda, coinciding with Kennedy’s push for the “Make America Healthy Again” initiative. Monarez’s attorneys contend that she was forced out for refusing to endorse “unscientific, reckless directives.”
DeLauro, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations’ Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, expressed her outrage, stating, “The longer we wait, the more lives we risk. It is time for RFK Jr. to be fired.” She pointed to the firings as a critical moment that illustrates the urgency of the situation, highlighting the potential harm to children and families.
The fallout from Monarez’s firing has been swift. Demetre Daskalakis, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, also resigned, citing a lack of transparency and manipulation of data for political ends. In his resignation letter, he stated, “I am unable to serve in an environment that treats CDC as a tool to generate policies that do not reflect scientific reality.”
At a press briefing, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the president ultimately made the decision to dismiss Monarez, asserting that officials must align with the administration’s mission. She indicated that an announcement regarding a new CDC director would come soon.
The recent shakeup at the CDC coincides with ongoing efforts to manage the COVID-19 vaccine rollout as cases rise with children returning to school. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced updated COVID vaccines on September 20, 2025, now authorized for individuals aged 65 and older and those with specific medical conditions.
DeLauro emphasized the risks posed by the current leadership at HHS, stating, “We are seeing the consequence of his leadership at HHS.” She warned that the firings of scientific experts could lead to new outbreaks of infectious diseases, including measles, which had previously been eliminated in the U.S.
In response to the evolving vaccine policies, Leavitt reassured reporters that while the FDA revoked emergency authorizations, this would not affect vaccine availability for Americans. However, she did not clarify whether insurance would continue to cover vaccines for those outside the revised recommendations.
As this situation develops, the health implications could be significant for millions of Americans. DeLauro’s impassioned plea highlights not just political dynamics but the real threat posed to public health under current leadership at HHS. With the CDC facing unprecedented challenges, the urgency for change has never been clearer.
Stay tuned for further updates on this evolving story as both political and health ramifications unfold.
