Former US Surgeon General Jerome Adams criticized Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for his “late lukewarm response” to a deadly shooting that occurred at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta on Friday.
In an op-ed published by STAT on Saturday, Adams stated that the shooting reflects a “disastrous” reality shaped by misinformation, politicization, and inflammatory rhetoric.
The shooter, identified as 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White, reportedly shot and killed DeKalb County police officer David Rose at the CDC’s Atlanta headquarters. According to White’s father, his son was agitated by the COVID-19 vaccine.
Adams expressed his frustration that Kennedy took 18 hours to respond to the incident, stating that he had heard concerns from CDC staff during that time. He described feeling “already disillusioned.”
“Leadership in times of crisis is crucial,” Adams remarked. He argued that Kennedy’s delayed response, combined with his history of inflammatory statements, deepened feelings of betrayal among public health workers.
Adams also referenced other violent incidents, including a shooting at a Pennsylvania hospital and the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
“It’s not just the violence that connects these events; it’s the context that enables it,” he noted. Adams emphasized that repeated negative rhetoric from influential figures like Kennedy paints medical professionals as corrupt or malicious, labeling them as “grifters” or “the enemy of the people.”
He called on federal leaders to reject harmful rhetoric, to cease scapegoating healthcare workers, and to focus on practical solutions rather than just communications.
During a segment on CBS News’ “Face the Nation,” Adams continued his critique of Kennedy, highlighting past comments that worsened the CDC’s situation.
Adams quoted Kennedy’s belief that no one should be harmed while trying to protect public health, suggesting that skepticism about health professionals can lead some to justify violence.
On social media, Kennedy shared his thoughts after filming, expressing solidarity with public health colleagues, insisting that no one should face violence while safeguarding others’ health. He added that they are supporting CDC staff.
In a statement, Andrew Nixon, the director of Health and Human Services Communications, asserted that Kennedy firmly condemned the attack and is committed to the safety of CDC employees. He extended condolences to the family of Officer David Rose, who was tragically killed.
Nixon emphasized that this is a time for unity with public health workers, not a moment for political exploitation in the wake of tragedy.
