Larson Condemns Ongoing Trump-Kennedy Public Health Purge

East Hartford, CT - Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) condemned President Trump and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s ongoing purge at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), standing with staff and supporters who staged a walkout in support of public health and real science. 

“Whether it’s measles, bird flu, or COVID-19, our nation is no stranger to the devastating impacts of disease,” said Larson. “It is beyond shameful to watch this president and Secretary Kennedy take a wrecking ball to our public health system – firing top doctors, replacing scientists with anti-vax extremists, and forcing out the dedicated CDC workforce. President Trump promised to keep families safe, but instead he’s elevating conspiracies to enact political retribution. To see the CDC under threat like this should strike fear into the heart of every American. I stand with the brave public health professionals standing up to protest this chaos – even under threat of retaliation. We need leadership that understands vaccinations are life-saving, not life-threatening. Mr. President: End these games now.” 

Last night, the Department of Health and Human Services announced the firing of CDC Director Susan Monarez after she refused to dismiss top scientists for defending real science over conspiracies peddled by Secretary Kennedy. This purge follows Secretary Kennedy’s dismissal of all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) that recommends vaccines, his cancellation of $500 million for vaccine research projects, and the HHS announcement of new restrictions on the COVID-19 vaccine. 

Connecticut leads the nation with a 98.3% childhood vaccination rate, avoiding measles outbreaks plaguing other states. Connecticut has seen no measles or polio cases, a public health success under threat by the ongoing Trump-Kennedy public health purge.