Overview

• Current and former HHS employees accuse Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. of spreading inaccurate health claims and eroding trust, saying his rhetoric has contributed to harassment and violence against public health workers.
• The signatories demand a public disavowal of false vaccine and infectious-disease claims, affirmation of the CDC’s scientific integrity, tighter emergency procedures and alerts, and removal of online targeting such as “DEI watchlists.”
• The letter includes hundreds of current staff—many signing anonymously out of fear of retaliation—and former CDC leaders such as ex–principal deputy director Anne Schuchat.
• Georgia investigators say the Aug. 8 attacker fired nearly 200 rounds at CDC buildings in Atlanta, killed police officer David Rose, and left writings expressing discontent with COVID-19 vaccines before taking his own life.
• HHS says Kennedy is prioritizing CDC employees’ safety and rejects linking agency reforms to the shooter’s actions; Kennedy visited CDC headquarters and publicly offered condolences after the attack.