US CDC Director Susan Monarez to Be Ousted Less Than a Month Into Tenure

WASHINGTON, Aug. 27 (Reuters) - Susan Monarez, who was confirmed as director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on July 29, is set to be removed from her post less than a month after taking office, the Washington Post reported on Wednesday, citing multiple Trump administration officials familiar with the matter.

Monarez, a federal government scientist who was sworn in on July 31, had canceled a scheduled agency-wide conference call slated for Monday, according to anonymous CDC staffers quoted by the Washington Post. The Department of Health and Human Services has not yet responded to requests for comment on the anticipated leadership change.

Her impending ouster follows a shooting incident at the CDC’s Atlanta headquarters earlier this month. Monarez’s confirmation marked the first time the CDC director position required Senate approval under a 2023 law. She succeeded a series of acting directors and was viewed as having strong credentials in disaster preparedness, biosecurity and health innovation.

Despite her qualifications, Monarez’s tenure has been overshadowed by political turbulence at the agency. The Trump administration has initiated significant budget cuts and staff reductions at the CDC, and Monarez’s authority reportedly clashed with broader plans to restructure federal public health operations.

Monarez is expected to depart from the CDC in the coming days, with an interim director to be named shortly thereafter. The abrupt leadership change underscores ongoing tensions between career public health officials and political appointees seeking to reshape the agency’s mission.