White House names RFK Jr’s deputy to take over as CDC director

The White House has appointed Jim O’Neill as the new director of the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one day after the abrupt dismissal of his predecessor, Susan Monarez.

O’Neill, who currently serves as deputy to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., will assume leadership of the CDC immediately, according to a statement released Thursday.

His appointment comes just a month after Monarez took up the role, making her one of the shortest-serving directors in the agency’s history.

The White House said Monarez was removed because she was “not aligned with the president’s agenda.”

However, her legal team sharply disputed the decision, calling it unlawful and alleging political interference.

“Dr Monarez was targeted by Secretary Kennedy because she refused to rubber-stamp unscientific, reckless directives,” her lawyers said in a statement, adding that they are preparing legal action.

The sudden change in leadership has raised concerns within the public health community, which is already grappling with challenges ranging from pandemic preparedness to rising cases of infectious diseases.

Critics argue that politicising the CDC could undermine the agency’s credibility at a crucial time.

O’Neill, a longtime ally of Kennedy, is known for his support of loosening regulatory barriers in medical innovation.

His appointment is expected to steer the agency closer in line with the administration’s health agenda, though public health experts warn that maintaining scientific independence is essential.

The Biden administration previously faced scrutiny over political influence in health agencies, but President Kennedy has defended the move as necessary to ensure unity within his government.

The controversy over Monarez’s dismissal is likely to intensify in the coming weeks, with congressional Democrats already demanding an investigation into whether political pressure played a role in the decision.