Major shake-up at the CDC! RFK Jr.’s deputy, Jim O’Neill, steps in as acting director, but not without controversy. Resignations and walkouts are rocking the agency, as the Trump administration pushes for a new health agenda. Will this move restore trust or deepen the divide within public health leadership?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is currently navigating a period of significant upheaval following the appointment of Jim O’Neill, the deputy secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), as its acting director. This pivotal leadership change, first reported by the Washington Post and confirmed by Axios, signals a decisive shift in the agency’s direction and is expected to pave the way for Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to advance his controversial health agenda within the federal health landscape, impacting crucial Public Health initiatives.
O’Neill’s ascension comes on the heels of a tumultuous week for the CDC, marked by the abrupt ousting of director Susan Monarez. Despite her firing by the Trump Administration, Monarez has defiantly refused to vacate her position, creating an unprecedented standoff at the agency’s global headquarters in Atlanta. This internal discord has sent shockwaves through the organization, prompting widespread concern among staff regarding Health Policy leadership.
In a powerful display of dissent, dozens of CDC staff members and leaders staged a walkout in Atlanta, expressing their profound disapproval of the internal shake-up and the policies championed by Kennedy. The walkout was accompanied by a wave of resignations, with three officials publicly quitting over their disagreements with Kennedy’s directives, and receiving cheers of support from their departing colleagues, underscoring the deep divisions within Public Health circles.
Addressing the escalating situation, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated the Trump Administration’s commitment. Leavitt stated at a briefing that President Trump and Secretary Kennedy are “committed to restoring trust and transparency and credibility to the CDC,” emphasizing their intent to ensure that all leadership positions align with this overarching mission to redefine Health Policy strategies.
Jim O’Neill brings a notable background to his new role, having previously held several positions during the George W. Bush administration, including principal associate deputy secretary. A prominent biotech investor and close ally of Trump’s confidant Peter Thiel, O’Neill has been collaborating with Kennedy since last November, specifically tasked with implementing the “Make America Healthy Again” agenda, a key component of the Trump Administration’s Public Health platform.
However, O’Neill’s past is not without its controversies. During the COVID pandemic, he was a vocal critic of the CDC and advocated for treatments not supported by rigorous scientific research, such as ivermectin. Despite this history, O’Neill assured lawmakers during his confirmation as Kennedy’s second-in-command in June that he is “strongly pro-vaccine,” attempting to reconcile his past statements with the traditional Public Health stance and the complexities of current Health Policy debates.
The fallout from these resignations and the ongoing turmoil atop the CDC could paradoxically strengthen Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s position, allowing him to more firmly establish his Health Policy agenda. This scenario presents a complex challenge, as the upheaval highlights deep divisions regarding the future direction of federal health institutions and their approach to critical Public Health issues like vaccine policy under the watchful eye of the Trump Administration.
The current instability, particularly the contentious departure of CDC Director Susan Monarez, is expected to complicate future Senate confirmations for any Trump Administration nominee willing to endorse Kennedy’s controversial vaccine policy changes. The political climate surrounding the CDC leadership is highly charged, with significant implications for the agency’s ability to maintain public trust and effectively execute its Public Health mission.
Further exacerbating the friction, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made several moves that have drawn sharp criticism from scientific and medical communities, particularly concerning vaccine policies. This has created a discernible tension between the CDC and HHS, as evidenced by the resignation of Demetre Daskalakis, who accused the HHS Secretary of ignoring expert advice and contributing to an “intentional eroding of trust in low-risk vaccines,” a critical aspect of Health Policy oversight.
