During a Senate hearing, former CDC Director Susan Monarez refuted accusations of untrustworthiness from her former boss, RFK Jr. Monarez insists the health secretary pushed to change vaccine policy without scientific data.

Washington

Former CDC director Susan Menardez appeared before the Senate to address accusations of untrustworthiness made by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Menardez stated that she was pressured to pre-approve vaccine committee recommendations and dismiss career vaccine policy officials, actions she refused on the grounds of scientific integrity. She attributed her dismissal to her refusal to comply with these demands.

Menardez also highlighted concerns about the removal of liaison experts from the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the potential for changes to the childhood vaccine schedule without credible data. The hearing also referenced a recent shooting at the CDC's Atlanta campus. Medical experts at the hearing emphasized the longstanding safety and effectiveness of routine childhood vaccines and the importance of science-based policy.

Key takeaways from fired CDC director's Senate hearing testimony

Now to Capitol Hill, where the recently fired CDC director, Susan Menardez, refuted accusations of untrustworthiness from her former boss, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Menardez insists the health secretary pushed to change vaccine policy without scientific data. CBS medical contributor, Dr. Celine Gounder, followed today's hearing very closely and joins us now. So what did we learn, Dr. Gounder? Dr. Menardez testified that HHS Secretary Kennedy demanded she pre-approve every vaccine committee recommendation and that she dismiss career vaccine policy officials. She refused, citing her oath and the need for science-based policy, and she says that refusal cost her the job. She also described the weeks leading up to that day, liaison experts removed from ACIP working groups, so for example, folks from the American Academy of Pediatrics, who advise on vaccines as well, the concern that the ACIP might alter the childhood vaccine schedule without credible data, and amid all this, of course, the August 8th shooting at CDC's Atlanta campus that killed Officer David Rose. And she added that Secretary Kennedy told her the childhood vaccine schedule would be changing starting in September, and he wanted her on board. ACIP is the Vaccine Advisory Panel, right? Is that right? Do I have that? That's right, that's the External Advisory Panel to the CDC. The idea is to bring in experts. You can't have all the experts on vaccines necessarily at the CDC, and so to bring in some additional experts to review the data and to help make recommendations. And so that panel meets this week to issue new recommendations. What should we know? What should we be looking for? So routine childhood vaccinations like MMRV, polio, DTaP, and hepatitis B have decades of safety and effectiveness research behind them. If you hear conflicting claims online, ask your child's doctor to walk you through the pros and cons, the very real risks of the disease versus the side effects of vaccination. And I think it's important to remember, we talk about scientific process, not science as a religious text. It is not a fixed body of knowledge. It is a process in pursuit of knowledge and the truth. And recommendations grounded in the scientific process are what give you confidence that those recommendations are credible and trustworthy.

ABC said that the late-night show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" has been "pre-empted indefinitely" after comments Kimmel made on the show in response to the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Jonathan Vigliotti reports.

New York

ABC suspends Jimmy Kimmel show over Charlie Kirk comments

In southern Pennsylvania, three police officers were fatally shot and two others were injured in a violent incident. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack and searching for leads on the suspect or suspects involved.

Haar Road

Three police officers killed, two wounded in Pennsylvania shooting

Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang said the U.S. and Beijing "have larger agendas to work out" after media reports of China's internet regulator ordering top tech firms to halt purchases of the American company's AI chips and cancel existing orders.

Beijing

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The U.S. Federal Reserve announced that it lowered interest rates by 0.25 percentage points, its first rate cut since December 2024. CBS News MoneyWatch correspondent Kelly O'Grady has more.

Fed cuts interest rates by 0.25 percentage points

Large-scale protests took place in central London in response to Trump’s state visit, with demonstrators highlighting his alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

London

Trump's historic UK state visit met with protests in Windsor

On the same day a ground offensive was launched in Gaza City, a United Nations Commission of Inquiry report concluded Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, a finding emphatically denied by Israeli officials.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Israel committing genocide in Gaza, UN inquiry finds

Yulia Navalnaya, the wife of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, said that foreign laboratory tests on biological samples obtained from her husband showed that he was poisoned.

Yulia Navalnaya says foreign tests show her husband was poisoned

Prosecutors formally changed Tyler Robinson, the suspect in the assassination of Charlie Kirk, and said they intend to seek the death penalty. Authorities also revealed exchanges between Robinson and his roommate.

Utah County

Prosecutors formally charge Charlie Kirk shooting suspect

U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrived at Windsor Castle and were greeted by King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Prince William and Kate, the Prince and Princess of Wales. CBS News' Ed O'Keefe has the latest.

Windsor

Trump greeted by British royal family at Windsor Castle

The eyes of the global financial markets are on the US Federal Reserve. It's expected to be cut later on Wednesday, around a quarter-point. But US President Donald Trump has called repeatedly for much steeper rate cuts.

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The U.S. Secretary of State has visited Qatar a week after Israel attacked a meeting of the Hamas negotiating team in Doha. Marco Rubio met Qatar's Prime Minister and the Emir, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani.

Doha

Marco Rubio visits Doha, holds talks with Emir and PM

Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray provided updates Tuesday on the case against Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk. Robinson is charged with seven counts, including aggravated murder. The state is seeking the death penalty.

Charlie Kirk shooting suspect charged with murder

A judge has dismissed two state terrorism-related charges against Luigi Mangione, the 27-year-old accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last December. CBS News' Anna Schecter has more details.

Luigi Mangione's state terrorism charges dismissed in CEO killing

Israel said it has launched its ground offensive in Gaza City. It comes as a United Nations inquiry finds that Israel's nearly two-year war on Gaza is a genocide. Israeli leaders have denounced the report as "distorted and false."

Israel launches main phase of ground offensive in Gaza City

U.S. President Donald Trump becomes the first U.S. president to receive a second state visit as Britain faces protests over immigration and growing support for the pro-Trump Reform Party. CBS News correspondent Ed O'Keefe reports from London.

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U.S. President Donald Trump announced Monday (Sept. 15) the U.S. military carried out a second strike against an alleged Venezuelan drug boat. CBS News' Charlie D'Agata has the latest.

Caracas

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U.S. President Donald Trump threatened investigations into the ‘radical left,’ following the shooting death of Charlie Kirk. Vice-President J.D. Vance on Kirk’s podcast encouraged people to turn in those who celebrated the conservative commentator’s killing.

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The United States and China reached a framework agreement to switch short-video app TikTok to U.S.-controlled ownership, U.S. officials said.

Washington County

U.S., China reach framework deal on TikTok

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met in Jerusalem with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as close U.S. ally Qatar gathered other Arab nations' leaders for a summit to issue unified condemnation of last week's Israeli airstrike targeting Hamas leaders in the Qatari capital.

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President Trump announced the U.S. military has carried out a second strike on alleged Venezuelan "narcoterrorists" in international waters. Three men were killed.

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Arab and Islamic leaders are gathering in Qatar for an emergency summit following an Israeli attack on Hamas leaders in Doha. The meeting aims to show unity and increase pressure on Israel.

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HBO's medical drama, "The Pitt" beat out heavily-favored Apple TV's "Severance" for outstanding drama series at the Emmy Awards. Meanwhile, Apple TV's "The Studio" walked away with 13 awards and broke the Emmy record for the most wins by a comedy in a single season.

Los Angeles

"The Pitt," "The Studio," and "Adolescence" win big at Emmy Awards

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel on Sunday to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials amid the nation's recent strike in Doha, Qatar, and intensified attacks in Northern Gaza.

Israel hosts U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio

Over the weekend, tens of thousands of people marched through London in a rally billed as in support of free speech. Many of the chants and speeches at the rally, which was organized by a far-right activist, were protesting against immigration.

Thousands in London march in rally organized by far-right activist

U.S. and Chinese officials concluded a first day of talks in Madrid on their strained trade ties, a looming divestiture deadline for Chinese short-video app TikTok, amid Washington's demands that its allies place tariffs on imports from China over its purchases of Russian oil.

Madrid

Global Tariffs

U.S., China begin trade talks in Spain as TikTok deadline looms

Police are searching for a motive in Wednesday's killing of conservative activist and influencer Charlie Kirk. Authorities say interviews with family and friends of the 22-year-old suspect suggest he could have been radicalized in the dark corners of the internet.

Orem

Charlie Kirk shooting suspect 'not cooperating' with authorities

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said ahead of the trip that he will be seeking answers from Israeli officials about how they see the way forward in Gaza. Rubio's trip comes after Israel's attack on Hamas leaders in Qatar that upended efforts to broker an end to the conflict.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Israel for talks

Five U.S. F-35 fighter jets landed in Puerto Rico amid escalating tensions with Venezuela. Separately, Caracas said 18 armed U.S. Navy personnel raided a tuna boat sailing in Venezuelan waters.

San Juan

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U.S. President Donald Trump said he believes the Russia-Ukraine war would end if all NATO countries stopped buying oil from Russia and placed tariffs on China of 50 percent to 100 percent for its purchases of Russian petroleum.

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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel on Sunday, as Israel intensified its attacks against northern Gaza. The trip is taking place after President Donald Trump rebuked Israel over the unprecedented attack against Hamas leaders meeting in Doha.

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