Explosive internal communications have revealed a systematic effort by Trump administration officials to interfere with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's scientific reports during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis obtained emails showing officials from the Department of Health and Human Services repeatedly attempted to alter the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports (MMWRs). These vital scientific bulletins were subjected to political pressure to align with former President Donald Trump's downplayed narrative of the crisis.
Political Pressure on Scientific Integrity
According to the investigation, then-HHS spokesman Michael Caputo and his senior advisor, Paul Alexander, demanded the right to review and revise the CDC's reports before publication. Their interventions frequently sought to minimise the risks of the virus and contradict scientific evidence.
In one particularly alarming instance, Dr. Alexander pressured officials to alter a report on coronavirus infections in children to suggest that schools should reopen, despite concerns from health experts about the potential for spread.
A Pattern of Interference
The subcommittee's findings detail a consistent pattern where scientific content was watered down for political purposes. This included attempts to:
- Remove references to the risks of virus transmission from asymptomatic individuals
- Downplay the effectiveness of mask-wearing
- Alter data that contradicted the administration's push for economic reopening
Career scientists at the CDC reportedly expressed significant frustration with these interventions, which they viewed as compromising the integrity of their work and public health messaging.
Implications for Public Trust
The revelations have raised serious concerns about the politicisation of public health agencies during a national emergency. Experts warn that such interference may have contributed to public confusion and mistrust at a critical moment in the pandemic response.
The House subcommittee continues to investigate the full extent of political meddling in scientific agencies during the Trump administration's handling of the coronavirus crisis.
