Axios

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

Guardian

Who is Jim ONeill? CDC chief set to bolster RFK Jr plan to remake vaccine policy

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.

The Associated Press

FOX 5 Atlanta

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."

Newsmax

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.

The Washington Examiner

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."

FOX News

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."

The Washington Post

www.thehill.com

Politico

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FOX 5 Atlanta #

<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2025/cdc-director-fired-after-refusing-to-fire-top-officials">Monarez was removed from her position as CDC director</a> 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."

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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.

New York Post

New York Post #

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

Karoline Leavitt

RapidResponse47

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.

Al Jazeera

Al Jazeera #

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

Atul Gawande

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 Director

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Reports: Trump Names O'Neill Acting CDC Director

Reports: Trump Names O'Neill Acting CDC Director

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