What Next | Daily News and Analysis TBD | The CDC Under Fire
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Aug 22, 2025 Lauren Weber, a health and science accountability reporter at The Washington Post, discusses the recent shooting at the CDC that left the agency reeling. She highlights the emotional toll on employees amidst rising anti-public health sentiment, fueled by misinformation. The conversation dives into the fears of public health workers feeling neglected and the increasing threats they face, drawing parallels to other instances of violence against health officials. Weber emphasizes the urgent need for support and transparency in these challenging times.
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Scenes At CDC After The Shooting
- Lauren Weber describes seeing bullet holes and a makeshift memorial at CDC headquarters after the August 8 shooting.
- She reports employees crying, devastated, and becoming angry about the violence and its causes.
Leadership And Misinformation Deepen Staff Anger
- CDC employees feel abandoned by HHS leadership and blame RFK Jr.'s misinformation for creating a hostile climate.
- They were angered by his initial fishing photos and perceived lack of support after the attack.
Shooter's Background And Local Context
- The shooter, Patrick White, fired over 500 bullets at CDC; officer David Rose was killed responding.
- Neighbors said White believed he was injured by the COVID vaccine and came from a pro-gun, pro-right area near Marjorie Taylor Greene's district.