Susan Monarez, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has defied efforts to remove her from office despite being fired by the Trump administration. Monarez’s legal team asserts that only President Donald Trump can terminate her position, disputing the White House’s claim that she was removed for failing to align with the president’s agenda.
Monarez, an infectious disease specialist confirmed as CDC chief just a month prior, was reportedly ousted Wednesday following a statement from the Department of Health and Human Services, which provided no justification for her departure. However, she has refused to step down, with her attorneys arguing that her dismissal lacks legal validity.
Mark Zaid, one of Monarez’s lawyers, stated on Bluesky: “As a presidential appointee, senate confirmed officer, only the president himself can fire her.” He added that Monarez’s legal team has informed the White House Counsel of their position, rejecting the termination notice as “legally deficient.”
White House spokesperson Kush Desai responded by asserting that Monarez was terminated for refusing to resign despite prior warnings. “Susan Monarez is not aligned with the President’s agenda of Making America Healthy Again,” he said.
RFK Jr. suggested the firing signals the Trump administration’s broader campaign to purge “rot” from U.S. health agencies. Monarez’s attorneys accused the White House of targeting her for resisting what they called “unscientific, reckless directives” and protecting public health over political interests. They emphasized that Monarez has not received formal notification of her termination and would not resign voluntarily.
The White House formally ended Monarez’s tenure hours after she refused to comply with demands to step down. No further details about her future role or the circumstances surrounding her dismissal have been disclosed.
