180 Leaders Gone
More than 180 state and local public health leaders in at least 38 states resigned, retired, or were fired since April 2020. ABC News called it “the largest exodus of public health officials in American history.” NPR described the departures as happening at a “steady and alarming” rate.
180+ public health leaders gone across 38 states. The largest exodus in American history. Then the administration fired the CDC director.
These were the people who managed disease surveillance, coordinated vaccination campaigns, tracked outbreaks, and made decisions about quarantines and school closures. They were not politicians. They were epidemiologists, administrators, and physicians who spent their careers in public service.
Armed Protesters at Their Homes
Ohio’s state health director, Dr. Amy Acton, resigned in June 2020 after months of pressure. Republican lawmakers tried to strip her authority. Armed protesters showed up at her house. She quit.
In Colorado, at least 20 health officials resigned after facing threats. In West Virginia, the governor forced the resignation of the Public Health Commissioner. In Kansas, the Reno County health director resigned after being targeted.
Dr. Anthony Fauci reported death threats against himself, his wife, and his daughters. The threats were serious enough to require a security detail.
2025: The CDC Director Was Fired
In August 2025, the White House fired CDC Director Susan Monarez. CDC officials were escorted from headquarters. Three senior officials, Dr. Debra Houry, Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, and Dr. Daniel Jernigan, resigned in response.
The agency that tracks and responds to disease outbreaks lost its director, three senior leaders, and a quarter to a third of its staff in a single year. The proposed budget would cut the CDC by 53% and eliminate 61 programs. Disease surveillance has been suspended.
The Timeline
2020: Armed protesters at health directors’ homes. 180 officials leave. 2025: CDC director fired. Senior officials resign. Staff cut by a third. 2026: Measles at a 30-year high. CDC budget facing 53% cut. FDA lost 3,500 employees. 383 NIH trials halted.
The people who knew how to manage outbreaks were driven out. The people who replaced them are managing the worst measles outbreak in a generation with a fraction of the resources.
Read more on the Healthcare hub and the CDC brief.