Two senior CDC officials leave agency

A pair of senior officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), both of whom were appointed to their posts by President Trump, resigned from their positions Friday.

CDC chief of staff Kyle McGowan and deputy chief of staff Amanda Campbell announced their departures to their colleagues on Friday, a spokesperson from the agency confirmed to The Hill. 

“I can confirm Kyle McGowan and Amanda Campbell are no longer with the agency. Effective Monday, August 17, Nina Witkofsky will serve as acting CDC chief of staff, and Trey Moeller will serve as acting deputy chief of staff,” the spokesperson said. 

Campbell and McGowan are leaving to start a consulting business together.

Politico first reported the development.

“We picked this day on the calendar and left to start our own business,” McGowan told Politico. “No one has asked us to leave. No one has forced us to leave.”

McGowan added that he had planned to leave earlier but that he had stuck around to help the agency weather the coronavirus pandemic.

“We’re to a point where I feel comfortable leaving,” he explained.

The CDC has received a mountain of criticism surrounding its efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Many lawmakers and health experts have criticized the agency, claiming it has struggled to effectively present a united front with Trump and his administration.

Earlier this week, CDC Director Robert Redfield said this could be the “worst fall” in history as the pandemic continues to plague the U.S. with flu season fast approaching.

Updated 4:18 p.m.