Expected Appointment of Jim O’Neill as CDC Acting Director Sparks Staff Protest

Jim O’Neill, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, is anticipated to be appointed as the interim director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This development follows a wave of staff protests against recent leadership turmoil at the agency. On Tuesday, hundreds of CDC employees staged a walkout at the Atlanta headquarters in response to the sudden departure of CDC Director Susan Monarez.

O’Neill, who previously held roles at HHS and the Food and Drug Administration during the George W. Bush administration, is known for his entrepreneurial background. He served as CEO of the Thiel Foundation and was a co-founder of the Thiel Fellowship, initiatives supported by billionaire and former Trump donor Peter Thiel. He was chosen by the White House to replace Monarez, who was removed less than a month after her appointment, reportedly for refusing to resign amid internal disagreements.

Her dismissal was characterized by the White House as a disagreement over policy alignment, with a spokesperson asserting Monarez was “not aligned with the President’s agenda of Making America Healthy Again.” In response, hundreds of CDC staffers walked out, with some cheering and saluting departing officials, who were escorted out by security. Several former CDC leaders, including Demetre Daskalakis, who was Biden’s monkeypox response coordinator, and other officials, participated in the protests, citing concerns over recent decisions and communication practices within the agency.

Demetre Daskalakis speaking to reporters outside the CDC. — Demetre Daskalakis, one of the officials who resigned, voiced his concerns publicly about recent policy changes.

Daskalakis highlighted issues such as changing COVID-19 guidance for children and pregnant individuals, uncommunicative decision-making, and the rushed onboarding of new vaccine panel members as reasons for his resignation. He expressed his motivation by referencing his grandfather’s fight against fascism in Greece, stating, “I am resigning to make him and his legacy proud.”

Meanwhile, lawyers for Monarez accused the administration of targeting her for refusing to endorse what they called “unscientific, reckless directives,” alleging she was unfairly dismissed for standing up to improper policies. The CDC and HHS have not issued public comments about the ongoing personnel changes.