RFK Jr. says former CDC director Susan Monarez lied to Americans
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Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifies before Senators. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said Thursday that former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Susan Monarez lied to Americans when she said she was fired for refusing to endorse vaccine recommendations not supported by science.
Why it matters: Kennedy's public rebuke will likely cause additional turmoil at the CDC. Monarez's firing led to outrage, with several top officials resigning and other employees staging a walkout at the agency.
- Kennedy's remarks came after a question posed to him by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) during a congressional hearing before the Senate Finance Committee.
- Kennedy also confirmed at the hearing that Monarez had been directed to fire top CDC officials not aligned with the administration's health agenda.
What they're saying: Monarez's legal team told Axios that Kennedy's accusations were "false and, at times, patently ridiculous."
- "Dr. Monarez stands by what she said in her op-ed in The Wall Street Journal, would repeat it all under oath and continues to support the vision she outlined at her confirmation hearing that science will control her decisions."
Driving the news: In the op-ed, Monarez accused Kennedy of telling her to go along with vaccine recommendations from the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which includes several individuals who have publicly expressed anti-vaccine rhetoric.
- "The CDC can't fulfill its obligation to the American people if its leader can't demand proof in decision-making," Monarez wrote.
- "That isn't reform. It is sabotage."
The other side: Kennedy denied Thursday that he had demanded Monarez accept the ACIP's recommendations.
- A spokesperson for HHS told Axios that Monarez "was never told to preapprove anything."
- "She was asked to rely on her own team of HHS experts, who were already conducting rigorous, evidence-based reviews when she began her brief tenure."
Zoom in: Kennedy has been pressed by Republicans in recent days after the secretary's shakeup at the CDC seemingly contradicted some of his previous promises to support evidence-backed vaccine guidelines.
- "I need to know why ... his words in his confirmation hearing aren't matching up with some of the deeds," Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) told Axios' Peter Sullivan prior to Kennedy's hearing.
- "I want the chaos to stop," Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) said. "You can't have the institution of public health in turmoil."
Zoom out: In recent weeks, the secretary has made multiple reversals in America's vaccine policy while sowing doubt in their efficacy and safety.
- Last month, Kennedy limited who can get COVID-19 vaccines, even though cases of the virus are surging.
- Kennedy also pulled nearly $500 million worth of contracts to develop new mRNA vaccines, which scientists have argued has the potential to reduce future medical breakthroughs.
Go deeper: Ousted CDC director Susan Monarez slams RFK firings: "It is sabotage."
Editor's note: This story has been updated comment from Monarez's attorneys.
