SenateThe Republicans are clearly dissatisfied with the effort they put into confirming a senior healthcare official in Trump's administration, only for her tenure to end in under a month after being dismissed by the President.
Former Centers for Disease Control (CDC) director Susan Monarez has been summoned to testify before senators once more on Wednesday to present her version of the events that resulted in her dismissal.
Monarez will argue that she was dismissed "for upholding scientific integrity," as stated in copies of her written testimony examined by various media organizations.
Monarez is also anticipated to challenge claims regarding her made by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.Robert F. Kennedy Jr. earlier this month.
Kennedy informed Senate Finance Committee members that Monarez was let go because Kennedy Jr. believed she lacked reliability.
"As for reliability — I can't define that term for Secretary Kennedy... Secretary Kennedy mentioned he couldn't trust me," Monarez stated in her prepared speech.
"I had declined to endorse vaccine recommendations without proof, dismiss career officials without justification, or step down — and I had expressed my worries to this Committee. I informed the Secretary that if he felt he couldn't rely on me, he was free to terminate my position," Monarez added.
At a White House press conference last month, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Monarez was dismissed by President Trump, emphasizing that he has the power to remove staff members "who do not support his objectives."
Secretary Kennedy informed senators at the beginning of this month that modifications at the CDC were 'essential changes to bring the agency back to its position as the global benchmark for public health, with the primary goal of safeguarding Americans against infectious diseases,' while reinforcing his view of the agency's shortcomings throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
The Department of Health and Human Services' Andrew G. Nixon stated to media sources on Tuesday that Dr. Monarez's account of the situation was not accurate.
"Susan Monarez was assigned the responsibility of restoring the C.D.C. to its fundamental objective following years of administrative stagnation, politicized research, and expansion of its scope that undermined its original intent and eroded public confidence," Nixon stated.
'However, she behaved with ill intent to sabotage the president's plans and was subsequently dismissed,' he added.
Both Kennedy and Trump had previously supported Monarez's initial Senate confirmation, citing her 'flawless scientific background,' combined with extensive experience in public service.
Read more- Why did CDC Director Susan Monarez get dismissed shortly after starting her position, following a conflict with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.?
- Was Susan Monarez dismissed from the CDC due to her resistance against Trump and Kennedy's contentious vaccine policies?
- Can Susan Monarez transform the CDC with Trump's selection of a non-medical professional as its leader? Learn about her qualifications and Trump's ambitious statements regarding a new era for America's health!
- What led to a conflict in vaccine policy at the CDC, causing hundreds of staff to walk out in support of former director Susan Monarez?
- Has Robert F. Kennedy Jr. triggered a health democracy crisis through a CDC restructuring labeled 'a coup' by specialists?