Jim O’Neill, deputy secretary of Health and Human Services, has been appointed acting director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Washington Post reported.
His appointment follows a leadership crisis at the agency after President Donald Trump removed CDC Director Susan Monarez last week.
O’Neill, a biotech investor with close ties to Trump ally Peter Thiel, has been working alongside Kennedy since November to implement the administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda.
The White House in a statement said Susan Monarez dismissal was due to her being “not aligned with the president’s agenda.” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt added, “If people are not aligned with the President’s vision and the Secretary’s vision to make this country healthy again, then we will gladly show them the door.”
The ousting triggered chaos inside the CDC, with dozens of staff staging a walkout at the agency’s Atlanta headquarters on Thursday and at least three senior leaders resigning. Among them was Chief Medical Officer Debra Houry, who warned in a letter about the “rise of misinformation” on vaccines and raised concern over looming budget cuts under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
His appointment is seen as paving the way for Kennedy to assert greater influence over the CDC, as health experts warn that the turmoil could undermine trust in one of the world’s leading public health institutions.
His appointment follows a leadership crisis at the agency after President Donald Trump removed CDC Director Susan Monarez last week.
O’Neill, a biotech investor with close ties to Trump ally Peter Thiel, has been working alongside Kennedy since November to implement the administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda.
The White House in a statement said Susan Monarez dismissal was due to her being “not aligned with the president’s agenda.” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt added, “If people are not aligned with the President’s vision and the Secretary’s vision to make this country healthy again, then we will gladly show them the door.”
White House defends CDC firing and issues warning to others who aren't aligned with Trump's vision. pic.twitter.com/tyGXzlKXsb
— The Associated Press (@AP) August 28, 2025
The ousting triggered chaos inside the CDC, with dozens of staff staging a walkout at the agency’s Atlanta headquarters on Thursday and at least three senior leaders resigning. Among them was Chief Medical Officer Debra Houry, who warned in a letter about the “rise of misinformation” on vaccines and raised concern over looming budget cuts under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
His appointment is seen as paving the way for Kennedy to assert greater influence over the CDC, as health experts warn that the turmoil could undermine trust in one of the world’s leading public health institutions.
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