White House Appoints Jim O’Neill as Acting CDC Director Amid Leadership Shakeup
The White House has named Jim O’Neill, deputy secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), as the acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) following the sudden removal of Susan Monarez from the agency’s top position. The announcement comes amid a significant period of turmoil within the CDC and ongoing disagreements at the highest levels of federal public health leadership.
O’Neill’s appointment was confirmed by multiple sources, marking a swift transition to steady leadership after Monarez’s controversial ousting just weeks into her tenure. According to reports, Monarez was terminated by the White House after reportedly resisting directives she deemed “unscientific” and “reckless,” which has sparked legal debates over the authority to remove her from the post. Her lawyers contend that only former President Donald Trump has the power to lawfully fire her, and several senior CDC officials have resigned, some openly criticizing the administration’s stance on vaccination policies and budget cuts.
As acting CDC director, O’Neill assumes control over the Atlanta-based agency at a volatile moment. He has served as deputy secretary of HHS since June 2025, working under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. O’Neill’s background includes prior government experience during the George W. Bush administration, where he led reforms at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) focused on overhauling food safety regulations.
Before his current federal service, O’Neill was involved in the tech investment sector and Silicon Valley circles. He notably served as CEO of the Thiel Foundation, founded by GOP megadonor Peter Thiel, and co-founded the Thiel Fellowship program, which provides substantial scholarships to young entrepreneurs opting out of traditional college paths. O’Neill also contributed to Thiel’s hedge fund, Clarium Capital.
The White House has not issued an official comment on the appointment at the time of publication. However, analysts view O’Neill’s elevation as a strategic move, potentially paving the way for Health Secretary Kennedy Jr. to imprint his agenda on the CDC after recent disruptions.
This leadership change follows a week of dramatic events at the CDC, highlighting internal divisions and external pressures influencing one of the nation’s foremost public health agencies. O’Neill steps into his interim role with the tasked responsibility of restoring stability and guiding the CDC moving forward.
This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.