Politicians from different political parties demand government supervision of the CDC after dismissing the organization's leader.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is facing a storm of controversy, with the firing of its former director, Susan Monarez, and the subsequent resignations of several senior leaders.

Susan Monarez, who was confirmed by the Senate only a month ago, was not informed by the White House about her firing, according to her lawyers' statement. Her departure prompted the resignations of four other senior leaders at the agency, including Debra Houry, Demetre Daskalakis, and Dan Jernigan.

Houry wrote that the science at CDC should never be censored or subject to political pauses or interpretations. Daskalakis and Jernigan cited ongoing budget cuts, agency reorganization, and politicalization of public health efforts as reasons for their resignations.

Jim O'Neill, who is also serving as the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services, is the new acting director of the CDC. O'Neill's appointment was announced after the firing of Monarez.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy is accused of putting political pressure on the CDC by former CDC officials. Kennedy has overseen multiple anti-vaccine actions as HHS leader, leading to concerns about the CDC's direction under his leadership.

Sen. Bernie Sanders is pushing for a bipartisan investigation into Monarez's firing. Sanders wrote a letter to Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy, requesting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Monarez's departure and the subsequent resignations of senior leaders at the CDC.

Cassidy had expressed reservations about Kennedy's nomination, but agreed to support him after receiving several commitments related to vaccines. However, Cassidy has recently requested the postponement of the vaccine advisory committee's Sept. 18 meeting due to serious allegations about the meeting agenda, membership, and lack of scientific process being followed.

Kennedy is scheduled to testify next week before the Senate Finance Committee. The committee is expected to grill Kennedy on his leadership of the CDC and his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The controversy at the CDC comes at a critical time, as the Food and Drug Administration has limited eligibility for the next round of COVID shots. The agency's decision has sparked debate and concern, with some arguing that it could exacerbate health disparities and others calling for a more inclusive approach.

Meanwhile, CDC employees have gathered outside of the agency's Atlanta headquarters to show their support for the departing officials and to express their concerns about the direction of the agency under Kennedy's leadership. A gunman who opposed the COVID-19 vaccine fired hundreds of bullets at the CDC's Atlanta headquarters earlier this month, adding to the sense of unease and uncertainty at the agency.

As the investigation into Monarez's firing continues, it remains to be seen how the controversy at the CDC will unfold and what impact it will have on the agency's ability to respond to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Politicians from different political parties demand government supervision of the CDC after dismissing the organization's leader.