The Fired C.D.C. Director Testifies
The Daily
09/18/25
•29m
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For weeks, fights have been escalating between top scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., culminating in his accusation that the agency’s top official, Dr. Susan Monarez, was untrustworthy.
Dr. Monarez went before a Senate committee on Wednesday to give her side of the story.
Sheryl Gay Stolberg, who covers health policy for The New York Times, discusses the testimony and the rift that the hearing exposed within the Republican Party over how far to go to support Mr. Kennedy and his vaccine agenda.
Guest: Sheryl Gay Stolberg, a correspondent based in Washington who covers health policy for The Times.
Background reading:
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Photo: Kenny Holston/The New York Times
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Previous Episode
The Plan to Turn Charlie Kirk's Murder Into a Crackdown on the Left
September 17, 2025
•34m
On Tuesday, prosecutors charged the man suspected of killing Charlie Kirk with aggravated murder, vowed to seek the death penalty and released a mountain of new evidence against him.
Jack Healy, who has been covering the killing of Mr. Kirk for The New York Times, explains what the police have uncovered about his motives. Kenneth P. Vogel, an investigative reporter, discusses the emerging White House plan to use the federal government to crack down on the left-wing groups that it believes inspire political violence.
Guest:
- Jack Healy, a reporter for The New York Times who writes about the changing Western United States and its political divisions.
- Kenneth P. Vogel, a reporter based in the Washington bureau of The New York Times who investigates the intersection of money, politics and influence.
Background reading:
- The suspect in Mr. Kirk’s killing faces an aggravated murder charge, and the death penalty.
- President Trump has invoked Mr. Kirk’s killing in justifying measures to silence his opponents.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Photo: Loren Elliott 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
Jimmy Kimmel and Free Speech in the United States
September 19, 2025
•30m
The aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination and the suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel are creating concerns and conversations about the state of free speech in the United States.
Rachel Abrams, Jim Rutenberg, Jeremy W. Peters and Adam Liptak, all journalists for The New York Times, discuss Mr. Kimmel’s removal and why the action is provoking fears and applause from different camps of a polarized country.
Guest:
- Jim Rutenberg, a writer at large for The New York Times and The New York Times Magazine.
- Jeremy W. Peters, a national reporter for The New York Times who focuses on free speech and the politics of higher education.
- Adam Liptak, who covers the Supreme Court and writes Sidebar, a column on legal developments, for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- The Trump administration has wielded its full toolbox to bring media to heel.
- What to know about “hate speech” and the First Amendment.
- In Charlie Kirk killing, finger pointing began before the evidence was in.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Photo: Samuel Corum 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.
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