The Washington Examiner

Trump taps Deputy HHS Secretary Jim ONeill to lead CDC temporarily

FOX 5 Atlanta

White House names Jim ONeill acting CDC director after Monarez ouster

Axios

White House selects Kennedy deputy Jim O'Neill as acting CDC director

Newsmax

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Guardian

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www.thehill.com

Trump taps RFK Jr. deputy as interim CDC director

Al Jazeera

White House picks Robert Kennedy Jrs deputy to replace ousted CDC director

White House taps RFK Jr. deputy Jim O'Neill as interim CDC director

TRT Global

Trump admin taps RFK Jr. deputy as acting CDC director

The Washington Post

White House taps top RFK Jr. deputy as acting CDC director

The Associated Press

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FOX News

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Hhs Schedules Next Vaccine Panel Meeting After Cdc Director Ousted 0053404

Atul_Gawande

RapidResponse47

New York Post

RFK Jrs deputy expected to replace ousted CDC director as employees stage walkout at agency headquarters

According to multiple media reports, U.S. President Donald Trump appointed Jim O'Neill, the current Deputy Secretary of the Health and Human Services (HHS), as acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday, following <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2025/cdc-director-fired-after-refusing-to-fire-top-officials">the termination of Susan Monarez</a> from the position.

According to multiple media reports, U.S. President Donald Trump appointed Jim O'Neill, the current Deputy Secretary of the Health and Human Services (HHS), as acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday, following the termination of Susan Monarez from the position.

Monarez was removed from her position as CDC director less than a month after being confirmed by the Senate. Her lawyers claimed that she was fired because she refused "to rubber-stamp unscientific, reckless directives and fire dedicated health experts."

Monarez was removed from her position as CDC director less than a month after being confirmed by the Senate. Her lawyers claimed that she was fired because she refused "to rubber-stamp unscientific, reckless directives and fire dedicated health experts."

Four senior CDC officials resigned following Monarez's termination, including Dr. Demetre Daskalakis from the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases and Dr. Daniel Jernigan from the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases.

Four senior CDC officials resigned following Monarez's termination, including Dr. Demetre Daskalakis from the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases and Dr. Daniel Jernigan from the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases.

O'Neill previously served as principal associate deputy secretary at HHS during the George W. Bush administration and later worked as a biotech investor under the wing of Trump mega-donor Peter Thiel.

O'Neill previously served as principal associate deputy secretary at HHS during the George W. Bush administration and later worked as a biotech investor under the wing of Trump mega-donor Peter Thiel.

The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is scheduled to meet next month, where, according to a notice issued on Thursday, revisions to vaccine recommendations are expected to be discussed under O'Neill's leadership.

The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is scheduled to meet next month, where, according to a notice issued on Thursday, revisions to vaccine recommendations are expected to be discussed under O'Neill's leadership.

However, Senator Bill Cassidy called for the vaccine advisory panel to postpone its September meeting, stating that any recommendations would lack legitimacy given "the current turmoil in CDC leadership."

However, Senator Bill Cassidy called for the vaccine advisory panel to postpone its September meeting, stating that any recommendations would lack legitimacy given "the current turmoil in CDC leadership."

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Susan Monarez was removed from her CDC director position less than a month after being confirmed by the Senate, with her lawyers stating she refused to approve directives described as unscientific and reckless.</span

Susan Monarez was removed from her CDC director position less than a month after being confirmed by the Senate, with her lawyers stating she refused to approve directives described as unscientific and reckless.

Four senior CDC officials resigned following Monarez's termination, including Dr. Debra Houry, Dr. Demetre Daskalakis and Dr. Daniel Jernigan, leaving the agency with significant leadership vacancies.</span

Four senior CDC officials resigned following Monarez's termination, including Dr. Debra Houry, Dr. Demetre Daskalakis and Dr. Daniel Jernigan, leaving the agency with significant leadership vacancies.

O'Neill previously served as principal associate deputy secretary at HHS during the George W. Bush administration and later worked as a biotech investor under Trump mega-donor Peter Thiel's wing.</span

O'Neill previously served as principal associate deputy secretary at HHS during the George W. Bush administration and later worked as a biotech investor under Trump mega-donor Peter Thiel's wing.

The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is scheduled to meet next month, where vaccine recommendation revisions are expected to be discussed under O'Neill's leadership and Kennedy's direction.</span

The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is scheduled to meet next month, where vaccine recommendation revisions are expected to be discussed under O'Neill's leadership and Kennedy's direction.

Senator Bill Cassidy called for the vaccine advisory panel to postpone its September meeting, stating any recommendations would lack legitimacy given the current turmoil in CDC leadership.</span

Senator Bill Cassidy called for the vaccine advisory panel to postpone its September meeting, stating any recommendations would lack legitimacy given the current turmoil in CDC leadership.

Firing a qualified scientist like Monarez for refusing unscientific directives represents a dangerous politicization of public health. O'Neill lacks medical training and previously promoted unproven COVID treatments, making him unfit to lead the nation's top health agency. This upheaval threatens vaccine programs that protect millions of children.

Firing a qualified scientist like Monarez for refusing unscientific directives represents a dangerous politicization of public health. O'Neill lacks medical training and previously promoted unproven COVID treatments, making him unfit to lead the nation's top health agency. This upheaval threatens vaccine programs that protect millions of children.

Trump Names O'Neill Acting CDC Chief After Director Ousted

Health

Politics

United States of America

The CDC desperately needed new leadership aligned with Trump's health agenda after Monarez proved unwilling to implement necessary reforms. Kennedy rightfully demanded changes at an agency that spread COVID-19 misinformation and failed Americans during the pandemic. O'Neill brings valuable experience from both government service and private sector innovation to restore credibility.

The CDC desperately needed new leadership aligned with Trump's health agenda after Monarez proved unwilling to implement necessary reforms. Kennedy rightfully demanded changes at an agency that spread COVID-19 misinformation and failed Americans during the pandemic. O'Neill brings valuable experience from both government service and private sector innovation to restore credibility.

Karoline Leavitt

Atul Gawande

There's a 1.2% chance that CDC will report 10,000 or more H5 avian influenza cases in the U.S. before Jan. 1, 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There's a 1.2% chance that CDC will report 10,000 or more H5 avian influenza cases in the U.S. before Jan. 1, 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Reports: Trump Names O'Neill Acting CDC Director

Reports: Trump Names O'Neill Acting CDC Chief After Director Ousted

The Spin

Metaculus Prediction

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Reports: Trump Names O'Neill Acting CDC Director

Reports: Trump Names O'Neill Acting CDC Chief After Director Ousted

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Metaculus Prediction

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