By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/after-the-shooting-at-cdc-rfk-jr-criticizes-agencys-pandemic-response Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter After the shooting at CDC, RFK Jr. criticizes agency’s pandemic response Health Aug 12, 2025 2:42 PM EDT President Donald Trump’s Health Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., refused to directly answer when asked during an interview with Scripps News on Monday what message he had for CDC employees who are worried about the culture of misinformation and skepticism around vaccines. READ MORE: Shooter attacked CDC headquarters to protest COVID-19 vaccines, authorities say Although law enforcement officials have made clear the shooter was targeting the public health agency over the COVID-19 vaccine, Kennedy said in the interview that not enough was known about his motives. He described political violence as “wrong” and said his job is to protect employees. He went on to criticize the public health agency’s actions during the COVID-19 pandemic. READ MORE: CDC shooter believed COVID vaccine was harmful; union says misinformation put staff at risk “One of the things that we saw during COVID is that the government was overreaching in its efforts to persuade the public to get vaccinated and they were saying things that are not always true,” Kennedy said. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Associated Press Associated Press
President Donald Trump’s Health Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., refused to directly answer when asked during an interview with Scripps News on Monday what message he had for CDC employees who are worried about the culture of misinformation and skepticism around vaccines. READ MORE: Shooter attacked CDC headquarters to protest COVID-19 vaccines, authorities say Although law enforcement officials have made clear the shooter was targeting the public health agency over the COVID-19 vaccine, Kennedy said in the interview that not enough was known about his motives. He described political violence as “wrong” and said his job is to protect employees. He went on to criticize the public health agency’s actions during the COVID-19 pandemic. READ MORE: CDC shooter believed COVID vaccine was harmful; union says misinformation put staff at risk “One of the things that we saw during COVID is that the government was overreaching in its efforts to persuade the public to get vaccinated and they were saying things that are not always true,” Kennedy said. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now