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California Hires Former CDC Officials as Public Health Consultants Amid Federal Policy Disputes
In a bold move highlighting growing tensions with the federal government, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced Monday the hiring of two former senior Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials as public health consultants for the state.
Susan Monarez, who was fired as CDC director by the Trump administration, and Dr. Debra Houry, who resigned as the agency’s chief medical officer and deputy director, will work with California’s public health department to bolster “science-driven decision-making,” according to Newsom’s office.
“We’re not just wringing our hands right now — we’re fighting back,” Newsom declared at a news conference. “This is a substantive response to what is not happening in Washington.”
The announcement comes amid escalating disputes between California and the Trump administration over public health guidance, particularly regarding vaccine recommendations. California has increasingly positioned itself as a counterweight to federal health policies, with Newsom intensifying his criticisms of President Trump and challenging Republican policies through legal action.
In September, California joined Washington and Oregon—both led by Democratic governors—to establish a West Coast alliance for developing their own public health guidance and vaccine recommendations. The partnership emerged in response to the Trump administration’s substantial shifts in vaccine and health policy, which health experts have criticized as contradicting established scientific consensus.
Monarez, the first nonphysician to serve as CDC director, was confirmed by the Senate in July but fired by the Trump administration just weeks later in August. While Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claimed she was terminated for untrustworthiness, Monarez testified to Congress that she was dismissed after refusing to endorse vaccine recommendations lacking scientific support.
In her new role, Monarez will advise California on advancing health technologies. “California is leading the way to no longer sit on the sidelines and hope for a better future,” she said at the news conference. “California is investing and innovating now to build the public health systems that will protect lives, strengthen communities and create a future in which all Californians can thrive.”
Houry, who spent over a decade at the CDC before resigning around the same time as Monarez’s firing, expressed concerns about vaccine misinformation, planned budget cuts, reorganization, and staff dismissals at the CDC under the Trump administration. She will serve as a regional and global public health adviser for California.
The initiative, Houry noted, will “serve as a model for how states can lead together in an era of shifting federal priorities, constrained resources and evolving health threats.”
The move has drawn criticism from California Republicans, including state Senator Tony Strickland, who characterized it as evidence of Newsom prioritizing national political ambitions over state interests. “California has serious problems, and we need serious solutions from a serious leader,” Strickland said in a statement. Newsom’s final gubernatorial term concludes in just over a year, with speculation mounting about a possible presidential run in 2028.
The White House and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to requests for comment on the hirings.
The appointments come as the Trump administration faces scrutiny for health recommendations that experts say lack scientific backing. In September, Trump advised pregnant women against taking Tylenol, claiming it posed an autism risk to babies—statements medical experts described as irresponsible. Additionally, the CDC website was recently modified to contradict the long-established scientific consensus that vaccines do not cause autism.
Earlier this month, a federal vaccine advisory panel voted to reverse decades-old guidance recommending hepatitis B vaccination for all newborns on the day of birth—a vaccine credited with preventing thousands of illnesses.
Through this initiative, California appears determined to establish its own public health infrastructure, potentially setting the stage for a parallel system of health guidance that other states might follow as federal approaches to public health continue to evolve under the new administration.
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16 Comments
Bringing in these ex-CDC leaders seems like a strategic move by California to bolster their scientific and medical expertise, especially given their criticisms of the federal government’s pandemic response. I’m curious to see if it leads to any tangible changes.
Agreed, this will be an important test case for how much influence California can wield by tapping into the expertise of former federal health officials. Their ability to shape policy will be closely watched.
This seems like a bold political move by California, but I wonder if it will really make a practical difference in their COVID-19 response and other public health challenges. Time will tell if the consultants can add meaningful value.
You raise a fair point. Ultimately, the success of this move will depend on how the ex-CDC leaders are able to influence and shape California’s policies and actions on the ground.
I’m curious to see how the expertise and experience of these former CDC officials will shape California’s approach to public health challenges. It could be a valuable addition, but the political dynamics will be crucial.
Absolutely, the political context will be key. California is clearly trying to assert its own vision, but the extent to which the ex-CDC consultants can actually drive meaningful policy shifts remains to be seen.
I’m curious to see how this plays out – will the ex-CDC consultants be able to effectively influence California’s public health decisions? Tensions between the state and federal government appear to be escalating.
It will be interesting to observe whether California’s move leads to any tangible improvements or changes in their public health policies and outcomes.
While I understand California’s motivations, I’m a bit skeptical about whether this will lead to any major changes or improvements in their pandemic response. Hiring consultants doesn’t necessarily translate to better outcomes.
That’s a fair perspective. Ultimately, the proof will be in the pudding – we’ll have to see if California’s public health metrics and decisions start to meaningfully diverge from the federal approach.
This looks like a clear attempt by California to position itself as a counterweight to the Trump administration on public health issues. It will be interesting to see how this dynamic plays out in the coming months.
Interesting move by California to bring in these experienced ex-CDC leaders. Seems like a strategic attempt to bolster their public health capabilities and counter federal policies they disagree with.
Yes, it’s a bold statement by California to strengthen their public health expertise and push back against the Trump administration’s approach.
This is a bold and politically-charged move by California. It will be interesting to see how the ex-CDC leaders are able to influence the state’s public health strategy and whether it leads to any tangible changes on the ground.
While I appreciate California’s intent to strengthen their public health capabilities, I’m a bit skeptical about whether this move will truly lead to meaningful improvements in their COVID-19 response and other key health priorities.
That’s a fair assessment. At the end of the day, the proof will be in the pudding – we’ll have to see if California’s metrics and policy decisions start to diverge from the federal approach in substantive ways.