Partnership for Public Service statement on senior level departures at CDC

August 29, 2025

WASHINGTON – The nonpartisan, nonprofit Partnership for Public Service today released the following statement from President and CEO Max Stier on the firing of Susan Monarez from her role as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the subsequent resignation of several top CDC officials:

“The administration’s actions at the CDC over the past few days have further hobbled our government’s premier public health agency, damaging our nation’s ability to respond to public health emergencies and draining the government of decades of knowledge and expertise on disease prevention. It is a tragedy, not a triumph, when talented, expert public servants are chased away by leaders hostile to science and chaotic work conditions.

“Without capable, experienced leaders in our public health agencies, our nation is less prepared for the public health challenges we can anticipate, like the fast-approaching flu season or the continued spread of preventable diseases like measles, let alone the ones we cannot.

“Agencies need stable and qualified leadership, not a revolving door of acting officials without the true authority of the role they are temporarily filling. This is another opportunity for Congress to use its oversight authority and power of the purse to ensure the administration takes the steps necessary to protect the American people from public health threats.”

During the past 24 years, the nonpartisan, nonprofit Partnership for Public Service has been dedicated to building a better government and a stronger democracy. We work across administrations to help transform the way government works by providing agencies with the data insights they need to succeed, developing effective leaders, inspiring the next generation to public service, facilitating smooth presidential transitions and recognizing exceptional federal employees. 

Visit ourpublicservice.org, follow us @PublicService and subscribe today to get the latest federal news, information on upcoming Partnership programs and events, and more. 

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