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Tags: jim oneill | hhs deputy secretary | cdc | trump admin

US HHS Deputy Secretary and Acting CDC Chief Jim O'Neill to Leave Posts

Tuesday, 17 February 2026 07:02 AM EST

Health and Human Services Deputy Secretary Jim O'Neill will leave his current role as part of a larger shakeup of health department leadership, Politico reported on Friday, citing two HHS officials and a person familiar with the personnel decision.

O'Neill, the top aide of Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is also the Acting Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

HHS General Counsel Mike Stuart, the agency's top lawyer, will also leave, Politico reported. They will be offered new roles within the Trump administration, the report said. It was not immediately clear if the new posts are within HHS or at other agencies.

An HHS spokesperson on Sunday referred to an X post by their colleague Andrew Nixon noting Stuart will continue to serve as HHS General Counsel pending his appointment to a position in the administration.

On Thursday, HHS Secretary Kennedy announced changes to his management team.

As part of the changes, according to the agency, Chris Klomp will become chief counselor and oversee all operations of the department, while Kyle Diamantas and Grace Graham will serve as senior counselors for the Food and Drug Administration and John Brooks as senior counselor for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. 

© 2026 Thomson/Reuters. All rights reserved.


Politics
Health and Human Services Deputy Secretary Jim O'Neill will leave his current role as part of a larger shakeup of health department leadership, Politico reported on Friday, citing two HHS officials and a person familiar with the personnel decision.
jim oneill, hhs deputy secretary, cdc, trump admin
203
2026-02-17
Tuesday, 17 February 2026 07:02 AM
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