This article originally appeared onThe Defenderand was republished with permission.
Guest post byBrenda Baletti, Ph.D.
Dr. Ralph Abrahamhas resigned asprincipal deputy director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), the agency announced Monday.
A statement posted on the CDC’s website said that Abraham “chose to step down to address unforeseen family obligations,” effective immediately.
The former surgeon general of Louisianatook officein December 2025.
“It has been an honor to serve alongside the dedicated publichealthprofessionals at the CDC and to support the agency’s critical mission,” Abraham said in a statement.
The announcement comes amid a series of high-profile departures from the agency. Acting CDC Director Jim O’Neill, who replaced oustedCDC Director Susan Monarez, alsoleft HHSlast week.
President Donald Trump reportedly plans tonominate O’Neillto head up the National Science Foundation.
Politicoreported that both O’Neill and HHS General Counsel Mike Stuart were moving to different positions in the Trump administration as part of a “shakeup” of HHS leadership.
The New York Timesspeculated that these, along with Abraham’s departure, show that the Trump administration is pivoting away from U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s agenda.
Source: The Vigilant Fox
