Home / Health / Hundreds of Health Workers Demand Safety Assurances from HHS Secretary
Hundreds of Health Workers Demand Safety Assurances from HHS Secretary
20 Aug
Summary
- Over 750 HHS staff urge Secretary Kennedy to guarantee worker safety
- CDC staff targeted by "DEI watchlists" with personal information
- Gunman fired 200 rounds at CDC buildings, killing officer before suicide
In a letter released on August 18, 2025, over 750 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) staff have urged Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to ensure the safety of federal health workers in the wake of a recent shooting at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta. The signatories, which include former CDC leaders such as past principal deputy director Anne Schuchat, have asked the HHS to tighten emergency procedures and alerts by September 2, 2025.
The letter also pushes the agency to remove high-profile online targeting of federal workers, including so-called "DEI watchlists" that list CDC staff and their personal information. "The deliberate destruction of trust in America's public health workforce puts lives at risk," the letter states, with many current CDC employees signing anonymously due to fear of retaliation.
The letter comes after a gunman fired nearly 200 rounds at six CDC buildings on August 8, 2025, killing police officer David Rose before taking his own life. Writings found in the gunman's home expressed discontent with the COVID-19 vaccine, according to Georgia investigators. The CDC has since tightened security, with most employees working from home this week and removing vehicle decals showing where they work.
