Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said Thursday that former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Susan Monarez lied to Americans when she said she was fired for refusing to endorse vaccine recommendations not supported by science.

Why it matters: Kennedy's public rebuke will likely cause additional turmoil at the CDC. Monarez's firing led to outrage, with several top officials resigning and other employees staging a walkout at the agency. • Kennedy's remarks came after a question posed to him by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) during a congressional hearing before the Senate Finance Committee. • Kennedy also confirmed at the hearing that Monarez had been directed to fire top CDC officials not aligned with the administration's health agenda.

What they're saying: Monarez's

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