CDC employees protested the firing of agency director Susan Monarez, and showed support for top leadership who resigned together in the aftermath. GPB's Sofi Gratas reports.
Hundreds gathered in Atlanta Thursday near the headquarters of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention after four directors resigned within 24 hours of the firing of director Susan Monarez by the White House Wednesday.
All have cited a lack of confidence in the CDC under President Trump’s second term.
CDC staff filed out of the Atlanta campus around 3 p.m., carrying signs and clapping for their departing colleauges.
“Thank you! Thank you for everything you do. I’m so proud of you.”
Retired CDC employee Janet Croft cheered them on.
Current staff confirmed three of the directors were escorted from the building.
One of the four who resigned, including Dr. Jennifer Layden, Daniel Jernigan and Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, former Chief Medical Officer Debra Houry said the resignations were planned together to send a message to Congress and the president.
“I believe in our scientists," Houry said. "We need our leaders above us to believe in CDC and stop saying 'Question experts.'”
The nation’s top public health agency was left reeling Thursday as the White House worked to expel CDC director and replace her with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ‘s current deputy, the Associated Press reported.
Two administration officials told AP that Jim O’Neill, the second-in-command at the Department of Health and Human Services, would succeed Monarez, a longtime government scientist. O’Neill, a former investment executive who also served at the federal health department under President George W. Bush, does not have a medical background. The officials, who confirmed the change to AP, requested anonymity to discuss personnel decisions before a public announcement.
