CDC Director Susan Monarez ousted after less than one month; additional agency leaders resign

Susan Monarez, who had been sworn in as CDC Director on July 31, 2025, was removed from the position on August 27, less than four weeks after taking office. Additional senior CDC leaders resigned in the same period. Monarez had succeeded Mandy Cohen, who departed in January 2025. HHS provided no explanation for Monarez's removal. The rapid turnover came as the agency was simultaneously implementing DOGE-directed personnel reductions that cut approximately 3,000 CDC employees — roughly one quarter of the agency's workforce — and as FoodNet's July 2025 surveillance cuts went into effect. Public health organizations including the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials said the leadership instability compounded operational disruptions already affecting CDC's data collection functions. No permanent director replacement was announced at the time of Monarez's departure.