From Washington Examiner: The second in command at the Department of Health and Human Services is leaving his post as part of a shake-up in personnel ahead of the midterm elections.
HHS Deputy Secretary and acting Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Jim O’Neill departed the administration, a source familiar with the situation told the Washington Examiner. He changed his bio on his X account to “formerly @hhsgov” as of Friday afternoon. O’Neill did not respond to the Washington Examiner’s request for comment.
O’Neill has served as the lieutenant to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and was confirmed by the Senate for the post last June. He temporarily took the reins at CDC following the ousting of Senate-confirmed Director Susan Monarez following a disagreement between her and Kennedy over vaccines.
O’Neill, a controversial CDC figure, has been criticized by mainstream health experts for approving recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Yet he has more government health policy experience than many others, having served the HHS under former President George W. Bush.
Breaking news: The White House and Health Secretary RFK Jr. are shaking up the health department’s leadership team ahead of the midterms.
Jim O’Neill, who served as the deputy Health secretary and acting director of the CDC, will leave both positions. https://t.co/iWfTuIASPL
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) February 13, 2026
Two of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s top aides will be leaving the agency, according to sources. General Counsel Mike Stuart and Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill will leave the agency due to restructuring. https://t.co/WFLXpV7dn4
— NBC Montana (@NBCMontana) February 13, 2026
Read more at Washington Examiner
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