Senator Richard Blumenthal from Connecticut is urging Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to take action against what he calls “escalating and violent” rhetoric after a recent incident at the CDC headquarters. He specifically mentioned that Kennedy, who is expected to be a significant ally in his position as a vaccine advisor at the CDC, should address these concerns following an attack there.
In a letter dated August 13, Blumenthal referenced Kennedy’s request to fire Robert Malone from the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Vaccination Practices (ACIP). He accused Malone of sharing posts filled with memes that contained violent and threatening imagery supposedly aimed at government officials.
Hours prior to the attack on CDC headquarters, Malone had posted an unsettling message on his blog, featuring an image of a revolver accompanied by the phrase, “Five of the six scientists have proven that Russian roulette is harmless.”
Shortly after the attack, another blog entry from Malone displayed images of guns and memes, stating, “If you need a disarmed society to govern, suck govern.”
On August 8, a gunman opened fire at the CDC in Atlanta, resulting in the death of a police officer. Authorities reported recovering nearly 500 shell casings, with about 200 striking several buildings on the agency’s campus. Law enforcement believes the shooter was motivated by his distrust of the Covid-19 vaccine.
Malone was appointed by Kennedy in June as one of ACIP’s eight alternative members, after the dismissal of 17 previous panelists. Although Malone was once a respected researcher involved in developing mRNA vaccine technology, he has since positioned himself among those critical of vaccines and is considered a key advisor to Kennedy and Covid-19 skeptics.
ACIP plays a crucial role in recommending vaccines for both children and adults, evaluating safety data. If the committee endorses a vaccine, insurance companies are required to cover it.
Blumenthal stated in his letter, “Malone has displayed poor judgment, which is unacceptable for the family of the murdered officer and for the CDC staff who rely on ACIP’s function.” He stressed the need for a panel that responsibly makes vaccination recommendations across the country.
Malone has not yet responded to requests for his perspective.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services responded to Blumenthal’s criticisms, suggesting that the senator’s demands are merely a gesture for political virtue. The spokesperson emphasized Malone’s scientific credentials and expressed appreciation for his service on ACIP, asserting that tragic events shouldn’t be exploited for political advantage.
