HHS Secretary RFK Jr. fires NIAID director Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo after whistleblower complaint
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has formally terminated Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, who led NIAID since August 2023 and had been placed on indefinite leave in March; she filed a whistleblower complaint with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel in September alleging illegal retaliation and naming Dr. Matthew Memoli, who she says downplayed vaccines and argued NIH "should not focus on vaccines." Marrazzo—one of four NIH institute directors fired after months in limbo—has called on Congress to protect scientific research, while HHS issued a statement defending Memoli.
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🔍 Key Facts
- HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. formally terminated Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo as director of NIAID; CBS News reviewed the termination letter.
- Marrazzo had led NIAID since August 2023 and was placed on indefinite leave in March.
- In September, Marrazzo filed a whistleblower complaint with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel alleging illegal retaliation.
- Her complaint names Dr. Matthew Memoli and alleges he downplayed vaccines and argued the NIH “should not focus on vaccines,” a position described as mirroring views attributed to Secretary Kennedy.
- Marrazzo publicly called on Congress to protect scientific research and said her firing shows HHS/NIH leadership do not share her commitment to scientific integrity.
- HHS provided a statement defending Memoli; CBS quoted both Marrazzo and an HHS spokesperson in its reporting.
📍 Contextual Background
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) were reported as among federal agencies where employees were expected to be furloughed during a U.S. government shutdown.
📰 Sources (2)
RFK Jr. fires NIH vaccine whistleblower Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo
New information:
- Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo — who led NIAID since August 2023 — was formally terminated by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.; CBS News reviewed the termination letter.
- Marrazzo was placed on indefinite leave in March and filed a whistleblower complaint with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel in September alleging illegal retaliation.
- Her complaint names Dr. Matthew Memoli and alleges he downplayed vaccines and argued NIH 'should not focus on vaccines,' mirroring views attributed to Secretary Kennedy.
- Marrazzo publicly called on Congress to protect scientific research and said her firing shows HHS/NIH leadership do not share her commitment to scientific integrity.
- HHS provided a statement defending Memoli; CBS quotes both Marrazzo and the HHS spokesperson.