In a surprising move, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has terminated Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a role she assumed in 2023 as a successor to the highly scrutinized Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Dr. Marrazzo carved out a public persona as a staunch ally of the established COVID response framework, advocating for lockdowns, vaccine mandates, and mask-wearing for all age groups. Notably, she did not shy away from condemning fellow medical professionals who voiced skepticism towards the mainstream narrative, describing proponents of hydroxychloroquine as “despicable” and betraying their oaths.
Prior to her NIAID leadership, Marrazzo was the head of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she engaged with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international health entities that aimed to influence global pandemic policy.
In what appears to be a contentious backdrop, Dr. Marrazzo was placed on indefinite leave in March. By September, she had escalated her concerns to a whistleblower complaint lodged with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, alleging she faced retaliation for challenging certain health policies. Her termination came shortly after this claim.
On Wednesday, CBS News reported that Secretary Kennedy officially notified Dr. Marrazzo of her dismissal from the NIAID directorship. Strangely enough, he offered no detailed justification, merely referencing his constitutional powers.
In an exclusive interview last month with CBS News, Marrazzo asserted that she had been effectively silenced after expressing dissent against NIH officials appointed during Trump’s presidency, particularly relating to childhood flu vaccination concerns and the cancellation of pivotal clinical trials.
In a statement from her legal representatives, Marrazzo characterized her firing as an act of retaliation. Alarmingly, just 22 days prior to her dismissal, she had accused HHS of “politicizing science,” halting vaccine-related research, and displaying “groundless hostility” towards COVID vaccinations.
Marrazzo’s attorney, Debra Katz, criticized the dismissal with fervor:
“Dr. Marrazzo was let go due to her unwavering advocacy for crucial health research and her staunch support for the massive evidence suggesting vaccines are both safe and effective.
The rationale for her dismissal, originating from the Trump administration’s actions, points to illegal motives. After months of concern raised following the transition to the new administration, Dr. Marrazzo was informed in March 2025 about a proposed transfer to the Indian Health Service—a move she never legally executed. Now, with her dismissal, it is clear that she was removed from her NIAID position in retribution for her protective whistleblower efforts.
Dr. Marrazzo courageously stepped forward to alert the public regarding the dangers of the Administration’s antagonistic position on vaccines, joining the fight for public health research. Despite filing a complaint with the Office of Special Counsel—a body undermined during Trump’s tenure—her paths for recourse have effectively vanished. I implore Congress to intervene and ensure proper oversight and accountability at HHS.”
Following her dismissal, Marrazzo reiterated her claims of political retaliation:
“I accepted the director position at NIAID because I aspired to lead a premier biomedical research institution. I stand resolutely with my leadership at the Institute and the dedicated scientists and staff who facilitate lifesaving research.”
“My termination starkly illustrates that the current leadership at HHS and the NIH does not share my dedication to scientific integrity or public health. It is imperative that Congress acts to shield scientific research from those prioritizing political interests over evidence-based policy.”
