Over 750 HHS Employees Denounce Secretary Kennedy’s Misinformation and Demand Action
More than 750 employees within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have voiced their deep concerns regarding Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s dissemination of misinformation, particularly surrounding vaccines. In a signed letter addressed to Congress and Secretary Kennedy, the employees directly linked the recent fatal shooting at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta to the “politicized rhetoric” surrounding vaccines, asserting that the attack was “not random.” The gunman, who harbored grievances against the COVID-19 vaccine, tragically killed a police officer. The employees accuse Kennedy of fueling this dangerous climate through his persistent promotion of vaccine skepticism and misinformation.
The letter emphasizes the gravity of the situation, accusing Kennedy of being “complicit in dismantling America’s public health infrastructure” and “repeatedly spreading inaccurate health information.” They point to specific instances, such as Kennedy’s public labeling of the CDC as a “cesspool of corruption” and his false claims about the ineffectiveness of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 and influenza. The employees argue that such rhetoric directly contributes to the harassment and violence faced by public health workers. Their call to action demands that Secretary Kennedy stop spreading misinformation, publicly affirm the scientific integrity of the CDC, and prioritize the safety of the HHS workforce.
The shooting at the CDC headquarters has underscored the real-world consequences of misinformation. The gunman’s documented belief that the COVID-19 vaccine had negatively impacted his health tragically led to violence. The employees’ letter argues that Kennedy’s history of vaccine skepticism, including his pre-appointment claim that the COVID-19 vaccine was the “deadliest vaccine ever made,” has contributed to a climate of distrust and hostility towards public health institutions and professionals. They seek assurances from the secretary that he will uphold the scientific integrity of the CDC and prioritize the safety of the HHS workforce in the face of these escalating threats.
HHS responded to the letter, defending Secretary Kennedy’s actions and emphasizing his support for CDC employees. The statement highlighted Kennedy’s visit to Atlanta following the shooting, portraying him as standing firmly with the agency. It categorized attempts to link the shooting to public health reforms as politicizing a tragedy. However, the statement did not directly address the employees’ concerns regarding misinformation, focusing instead on a broader message of prioritizing the well-being of CDC employees while defending the administration’s public health policies.
Individual signatories of the letter have also spoken out, sharing their personal motivations for joining the call for accountability. A CDC employee, speaking anonymously out of fear of retribution, expressed frustration with misinformation emanating from the highest levels of public health leadership. This individual emphasized the importance of speaking up in alignment with the oath taken by public health professionals to adhere to scientific principles. Similarly, Dr. Shiv Prasad of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), signing the letter in his personal capacity, voiced concerns about the spread of misinformation and its impact on the safety of federal workers, including the risk of becoming targets of violence.
The employees’ letter calls on Secretary Kennedy to take concrete action by September 2nd, including refraining from spreading inaccurate health information and affirming the scientific integrity of the CDC. They also seek guarantees for the safety of the HHS workforce, highlighting the importance of a safe and supportive work environment in the face of escalating threats and harassment. Additionally, Dr. Prasad expressed concern about recent actions by NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, particularly his support for canceling funding for mRNA vaccine development and his comments regarding COVID-19 origins. He called for Dr. Bhattacharya to consider the potential impact of these statements on NIH staff and the broader scientific community. The employees’ letter represents a significant expression of dissent within HHS, highlighting the urgent need to address the spread of misinformation and its impact on public health.