Lawmakers demand answers after reports find Trump appointees tried to muzzle nation’s top scientists on spread of virus

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Frank Pallone, Jr (D-NJ) – two of the top Democrats in the House currently charged with overseeing the Trump administration's response to the coronavirus – are calling today on the head of the Department of Health and Human Services, Secretary Alex Azar, to explain the circumstances surrounding a series of alarming new reports that Trump administration political appointees have been actively trying to muzzle public health officials and interfere with scientific reports regarding the spread of the virus.

"We are concerned that this unprecedented attempt to undermine our nation's public health is either happening with your approval or rogue political appointees are taking actions behind your back," the lawmakers wrote in letter to Azar today. "Either way, these actions are doing grave harm to the very public health agencies you lead and threatening the health of the nation."

The lawmakers letter comes in response to a series of recent media reports, that found senior HHS political appointees demanded to review – and even sought to change – scientific reports prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention prior to them being released to the public.

According to a POLITICO report over the weekend, HHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, Michael Caputo – a former Trump campaign official with no medical or scientific background – attempted to add caveats to CDC's findings, change reports retroactively, and even tried to delay the release of certain reports – including one that addressed how doctors were prescribing hydroxychloroquine.

That report also found that Dr. Paul Alexander – a fellow political appointee and aide to Mr. Caputo – reportedly berated CDC scientists for purportedly attempting to "hurt the President" and called on CDC Director Robert Redfield to retroactively modify two reports, claiming they "undermined Trump's push to reopen schools."

"Congress and the American people deserve to know if you approved these egregious actions by these political appointees, and if it was done without your knowledge, what actions you will take to ensure that it never happens again," DeGette and Pallone wrote to Azar. "It is long past time that you stand up for public health."

A separate report published last week similarly detailed Dr. Alexander's attempts to control public statements made by Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, in an effort to promote statements and positions expressed by President Trump that are contrary to scientific evidence.

"Time and time again, you have failed to defend your own public health institutions and officials, and have allowed the Administration to promote politics over science during our nation's pandemic response," Pallone and DeGette wrote to Azar. "Now, we demand a briefing from you by September 18, 2020, as to how you intend to fulfill your oath."

In writing to Azar, DeGette and Pallone suggested that he be prepared to address several key questions when he meets to brief the two lawmakers later this week, including:

• Were you aware of any actions taken by political officials within HHS's Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs to review, alter, or otherwise undermine the scientific integrity of CDC's report process and publications, and did you authorize these actions, as reported?
• Will you commit to restoring the scientific integrity and autonomy of the nation's public health agencies and experts so that they may operate free from political interference?
• What steps will you take to prohibit the involvement of political appointees in matters that have been and must be driven by science?
• What steps will you take to convince the American people that you are working to serve in the best interest of their health and well-being and not merely at the political whims of the President?

A copy of DeGette and Pallone's letter to Azar is available here.