FROM WASHINGTON EXAMINER: Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will testify before a Senate panel next week, a high-stakes setting for the Cabinet member to be peppered with questions about firing the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Kennedy will go before the Senate Finance Committee on Sept. 4 for a hearing on “the president’s 2026 health care agenda,” the panel revealed Thursday, but will undoubtedly also be grilled on ousting former CDC Director Susan Monarez after less than one month on the job.
The committee’s announcement came less than 24 hours after Monarez’s departure, which led to a string of other resignations at the agency, setting off a possible legal battle with the former Senate-confirmed director. The hearing was scheduled before the staff shake-up, according to a committee spokesperson.
According to Monarez, the firing is “legally deficient.” She says only President Donald Trump has the power to fire her.
On Thursday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed that Trump fired Monarez himself after the CDC director refused Kennedy’s request for her to step down.
Trump had “every right” to do so, Leavitt said.
"The president has the authority to fire those who are not aligned with his mission."
When asked about CDC Director Susan Monarez being ousted, White House press sec. Karoline Leavitt said "this woman has never received a vote in her life." https://t.co/pSURWyr1Lu pic.twitter.com/01v4yUfWo5
— ABC News (@ABC) August 28, 2025
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt declared that CDC Director Susan Monarez is not a good fit for her post after the administration attempted to fire her this week. She was sworn into her post just one month ago. https://t.co/YBbWYAmnyI
— HuffPost (@HuffPost) August 28, 2025
The information listed is from WashingtonExaminer.
