Inside the Turmoil at RFK Jr.'s CDC, as Told by Current and Former Employees

Forty-three current and former C.D.C. employees on the changes they say are replacing science with ideology — and making Americans more vulnerable.

Mar. 23, 2026 at 9:22am

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After President Trump's reelection, he appointed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy, a longtime vaccine skeptic, has taken aim at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, firing staff, dismantling programs, and replacing the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices with vaccine skeptics. Current and former C.D.C. employees describe an agency in turmoil, with political appointees sidelining scientists, censoring information, and undermining public health efforts.

Why it matters

The C.D.C. plays a vital role in protecting public health, from monitoring infectious diseases to tracking chronic conditions. The changes under Kennedy threaten to erode trust in the agency and leave Americans vulnerable to a range of health threats, from measles outbreaks to the opioid crisis.

The details

Kennedy has fired over 2,400 C.D.C. employees, or 18% of the staff, and has moved to dismantle large parts of the agency, transferring functions to a new entity called the Administration for a Healthy America. He has also replaced the 17 voting members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) with vaccine skeptics, who have already made changes to vaccine recommendations without consulting agency scientists. Current and former employees describe an agency in chaos, with political appointees censoring information, ignoring data, and delaying responses to public health emergencies.

  • In January 2025, President Trump appointed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.
  • By April 2025, Kennedy had fired all 17 voting members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
  • In June 2025, the newly installed ACIP committee rescinded recommendations for flu vaccines containing the preservative thimerosal, without consulting C.D.C. staff scientists.
  • In August 2025, a gunman opened fire on the C.D.C. campus, killing one officer. Kennedy did not address the staff or pay respects to the fallen officer.
  • In September 2025, former C.D.C. director Susan Monarez and former chief medical officer Debra Houry testified before Congress, describing the agency's descent into chaos under Kennedy's leadership.

The players

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The secretary of health and human services, appointed by President Trump. Kennedy is a longtime vaccine skeptic who has taken aim at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Susan Monarez

The former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She was fired by Kennedy for refusing to approve changes to vaccine recommendations without seeing the scientific evidence.

Debra Houry

The former chief medical officer at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She resigned in protest over the agency's descent into chaos under Kennedy's leadership.

Demetre C. Daskalakis

The former director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He resigned in protest over the agency's changes to vaccine recommendations.

Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)

A group of doctors and scientists that meets several times a year to develop vaccine recommendations for the nation. Kennedy fired all 17 voting members and replaced them with vaccine skeptics.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.