The C.D.C.’s Vaccine Chief on Why Quitting Was His Only Option
The Daily
08/29/25
•29m
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Over the past 24 hours, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been plunged into turmoil.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. tried to fire the agency’s director, Susan Monarez, igniting a standoff that prompted three other senior officials to resign.
One of those officials, Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, explains why he chose to take a stand.
Guest: Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, a former director at the C.D.C.
Background reading:
- The Covid-19 pandemic made the C.D.C. a frequent target of lawmakers and segments of the general public.
- Mr. Kennedy’s move to dismiss Dr. Monarez came after she declined to fire agency leaders or to accept all recommendations from a vaccine advisory panel, according to people with knowledge of the events.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Photo: Alyssa Pointer/Reuters
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Previous Episode
Threats and Cash: How China Meddles in U.S. Local Elections
August 28, 2025
•31m
A curious news story emerged in New York last week. It involved the mayor’s race, a reporter from the news outlet The City and a bag of chips.
Michael Forsythe, a reporter on the investigations team at The New York Times, explains how the episode fits into a larger story about how China has been attempting to influence American politics.
Guest: Michael Forsythe, a reporter on the investigations team at The New York Times.
Background reading:
- In the past few years, community organizations have quietly foiled the careers of politicians who opposed China’s authoritarian government.
- Times reporters witnessed supporters of the New York mayor, Eric Adams, handing out cash-filled envelopes. Sometimes, that money went to reporters from Chinese-language outlets.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Photo: Shuran Huang for The New York Times
Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Next Episode
'The Interview': Arundhati Roy Knows Where America Is Headed
August 30, 2025
•41m
The acclaimed writer has a new memoir, and a warning.
- Thoughts? Email us at theinterview@nytimes.com
- Watch our show on YouTube: youtube.com/@TheInterviewPodcast
- For transcripts and more, visit: nytimes.com/theinterview
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