(NewsNation) — The exodus continues at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Three top officials have resigned, following the ouster of director Susan Monarez.
NewsNation correspondent Libbey Dean confirmed Wednesday the resignations of Deb Houry, CDC chief medical officer; Dan Jernigan, director of the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases; and Demetre Daskalakis, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.
The Senate confirmed Monarez late last month. She had served as acting CDC Director shortly after the start of the second Trump administration and previously was deputy director at the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H).
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President Trump chose Monarez as his second choice after his first choice, former Florida Rep. David Weldon (R), failed to garner enough GOP support.
The Hill, NewsNation’s sister news website, reported the trio who resigned their posts raised concerns about the politicization of public health.
“I am not able to serve in this role any longer because of the ongoing weaponizing of public health,” Daskalakis wrote in an email announcing his departure.
Houry wrote: “For the good of the nation and the world, the science at CDC should never be censored or subject to political paused or interpretations. Vaccines save lives — this is an indisputable, well-established, scientific fact.”
Said Jernigan: “I believe strongly in the mission of public health and the leadership that CDC has given for almost 80 years; however, given the current context in the Department, I feel it is best for me to offer my resignation.”
This is a developing story. Check back for details.
