Open Letter Demands Action
Several hundred current and former Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) employees have united in an unprecedented show of dissent, signing an open letter that directly challenges Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The letter, published on SaveHHS.org, condemns what signatories describe as “dangerous and deceitful statements and actions” that have vilified public health workers and potentially contributed to the devastating August 8 attack on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters.
The comprehensive document seeks concrete commitments from the nation’s top health official to fundamentally change his approach to public health communication. Specifically, the letter demands Kennedy “cease and publicly disavow” the spread of false claims surrounding vaccines, infectious disease transmission, and public health institutions he had previously characterized as “a cesspool of corruption.”
Growing Support Among HHS Workers
As of Wednesday morning, the letter had garnered more than 750 signatures from workers across HHS subagencies. The webpage hosting the letter actively encourages additional employees to join the movement, suggesting widespread discontent within the department. Many signatures remain anonymous, a protective measure the organizers specifically encourage for current employees who may face retaliation due to their positions or personal safety concerns.
The August 8 CDC Attack
The tragic incident that sparked this unprecedented letter occurred when multiple bullets were fired at CDC buildings, forcing employees to shelter in place during what should have been a routine workday. The attack resulted in the death of DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose, 33, who was responding to the emergency, while another officer sustained injuries.
Impact on Federal Workforce
The shooting sent shockwaves throughout the federal public health community, raising serious questions about the safety of government employees who dedicate their careers to protecting American lives. The incident highlighted the real-world consequences of inflammatory rhetoric targeting public health institutions and their workers.
Kennedy’s Delayed Response
One of the most significant criticisms outlined in the letter concerns Kennedy’s response timeline to the attack. The accompanying press release specifically pointed to RFK Jr.’s “delayed and cursory response” to the shooting. Secretary Kennedy did not publicly or internally address the attack until the following day, and didn’t tour the headquarters until three days after the incident.
This delayed response has been interpreted by many employees as indicative of Kennedy’s overall approach to supporting CDC workers and acknowledging the gravity of threats against public health institutions.
Former CDC Leadership Speaks Out
The letter includes signatures from distinguished former CDC leadership, lending significant credibility to the criticism. Notable signatories include:
- Dr. Anne Schuchat, formerly principal deputy director
- Dr. Tom Simon, former senior director for scientific programs in the Division of Violence Prevention
- Dr. Jim Mercy, former director of the Division of Violence Prevention
- Dr. Jay Butler, former deputy director for infectious diseases
Schuchat’s Powerful Statement
Dr. Anne Schuchat delivered particularly pointed remarks, stating: “We are all broken-hearted, not only for our CDC colleagues, but for all Americans. If the very people that are supposed to be protecting Americans are not safe, then no American is safe.” She emphasized that an attack on a U.S. government agency should unite Americans, yet “Secretary Kennedy continues to spread misinformation at the risk of American lives.”
Workplace Safety Concerns
The letter emphasizes that HHS workers now face unprecedented safety challenges directly linked to misinformation campaigns. Employees report experiencing harassment and violence, creating a hostile work environment that undermines their ability to serve the American public effectively.
Physical and Psychological Impact
Beyond physical safety concerns, the constant threat of harassment has created psychological stress among federal health workers. Many employees report feeling unsupported by leadership and concerned about their personal safety both at work and in their communities.
The Shooter’s Background
Patrick Joseph White, who died at the scene, arrived heavily armed with five guns, including at least one long gun. He had attempted to enter the campus but was turned away by security measures. Statements from White’s father and neighbors revealed his mental distress and his belief that he and others had been sickened by COVID-19 vaccines.
This background information directly connects the shooter’s motivations to broader vaccine misinformation narratives, which the letter argues Kennedy has helped perpetuate through his public statements and policy decisions.
Employee Reactions and Concerns
CDC Director Dr. Susan Monarez expressed being “heartbroken” following the attack, emphasizing that the agency’s “top priority is the safety and well-being of everyone at CDC.” She conducted an internal group call the following day where employees sought safety assurances and voiced concerns about misinformation’s role in the attack.
Poor Reception of Leadership Response
Reports and social media postings indicated that Dr. Monarez’s all-hands presentation, held after she joined Kennedy’s tour of the attack site, was poorly received by staff. This negative reception suggests deeper organizational concerns about leadership’s handling of the crisis and ongoing safety issues.
Specific Criticisms Against Kennedy
The letter outlines several specific actions and statements that signatories believe demonstrate Kennedy’s complicity in “dismantling America’s public health infrastructure.” These include:
Vaccine Policy Changes
- Cancellation of $500 million in contracts for mRNA vaccines, which Kennedy claimed “failed to protect effectively”
- Remaking the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices with “inadequately vetted members who lack appropriate expertise”
- Recommendations driven by “ideology rather than science”
Misinformation Campaign
- Comments undermining the safety and effectiveness of measles vaccines during this year’s outbreak
- Suggestions that childhood vaccines could be linked to autism
- Overseeing the termination of numerous CDC workers
Demands for Change
The signatories have established a clear deadline of September 2 for Kennedy to respond to their specific requests. These demands include:
- Rhetorical Changes: Ceasing the spread of vaccine misinformation and publicly disavowing previous false claims
- Workforce Safety: Implementing comprehensive emergency procedures and alerts
- Online Protection: Taking action to remove high-profile online material targeting federal workers, including “DEI watchlists”
- Scientific Integrity: Affirming that CDC work is “rooted in scientific, non-partisan evidence”
HHS Response
In response to the letter, HHS defended Kennedy’s leadership, stating that his work and broader vision for the agency have public support. The department’s statement attempted to distance Kennedy from the violence: “Any attempt to conflate widely supported public health reforms with the violence of a suicidal mass shooter is an attempt to politicize a tragedy.”
However, this response failed to address the specific concerns raised about workplace safety, emergency procedures, or the secretary’s delayed response to the attack.
The ongoing tension between HHS leadership and employees represents a significant challenge for the department’s mission to protect American public health. As the September 2 deadline approaches, all eyes will be on whether Kennedy will address the substantive concerns raised by hundreds of his own employees.
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