Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Sen. Banks Presses Fired CDC Director Monarez at Senate HELPHearing

WASHINGTON, D.C, – Today, at the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP) hearing, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) questioned former CDC Director Susan Monarez on details of her firing after repeatedly undermining HHS Secretary Kennedy and President Trump.

Click the image above to watch the whole hearing.

Key excerpts below:

Sen. Banks: I’m curious, did Mark Zaid connect with you or did you reach out to him?How did you connect with him?

Dr. Monarez: I was given his his contact information. 

Sen. Banks: He didn’t contact you?

Dr. Monarez: I don’t actually recall. 

Sen. Banks: You just said a moment ago that you that you were given his contact information. Who gave you his contact information?

Dr. Monarez: I received it from a number of different individuals. I think with my termination being as abrupt as it was, people were concerned about the support structures that I would need to be able to make sure that I understand.

Sen. Banks:  I just want to make this clear. He didn’t reach out to you. You were given his number and you reached out to him. Is that correct?

Dr. Monarez: I think, I believe that that is correct, although I don’t have perfect…

***

Sen. Banks: Of the thousands of lawyers that you could hire to help you through this process, why Mark Zaid?

Dr. Monarez: You know, I– Look, the moments, the hours after I had been terminated, I was concerned in a number of different facets associated with my termination. One of the things that I wanted to make sure I did was have clarity of understanding of what had transpired and what…

Sen. Banks: You have to know that Mark Zaid is a leading opponent of President Trump, notorious for his online activity that is very anti-Trump. He was heavily involved in President Trump’s first impeachment. Why, why did you hire a guy like that of all the thousands of attorneys? And furthermore, he advised his clients to leave the country after President Trump won the 2024 election. Why would you hire a guy like that?

Dr. Monarez: So, I actually was not aware of any of those details associated with Mark.

Sen. Banks: He’s right behind you, you brought him with you today. Notorious for his anti-Trump activity and involvement. And you hired that guy.

Dr. Monarez: Yeah, so I was seeking some critical counsel to be able to help me make sure that I was understanding and aware off everything that had transpired and preparing for what might be next, including this committee hearing. Mark Zaid and I have never spoken about politics. I never asked him about his politics. He has never asked me about my politics. He is a well-credentialed council.

Sen. Banks: So, you’re claiming to be naive about Mark Zaid’s political activity, as he sits behind you advising you for this hearing, and helping you through this process.

Dr. Monarez: I have not had any discussions with Mr. Zaid associated with his politics. 

Sen. Banks: That’s astonishing, Doctor. 

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