US HHS Spokesperson: "CDC is a Haven for Trump Resistance Forces"

"Anti-Government Forces to Launch Armed Uprising Immediately After Presidential Election"
Spokesperson with No Healthcare Experience... Investigation Begins in US Congress

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) sparked controversy by claiming that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is resisting the Donald Trump administration and that anti-government forces will launch an armed uprising immediately after the November presidential election. The spokesperson has been a subject of ongoing controversy as he was appointed despite having no background in healthcare and being a close aide to President Trump. The U.S. Congress announced it will investigate the incident, indicating that the controversy is likely to continue.

According to foreign media including The New York Times (NYT) on the 14th (local time), Michael Caputo, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, stated during a live broadcast to his personal Facebook followers the day before, "The CDC is providing a sanctuary for resistance forces against President Trump," and added, "There are scientists within the government who hope the U.S. does not improve until Joe Biden becomes president." He further criticized, "CDC scientists do not even change out of their workout clothes except when they meet in cafes to plot ways to attack President Trump."

Caputo claimed that anti-government forces would launch an armed riot immediately after the U.S. presidential election in November. He warned, "President Trump will succeed in his re-election, but Biden’s side will not acknowledge it," and "When President Trump does not step down on Inauguration Day, shootings will begin." He also said, "If you have a gun, buy live ammunition in advance." Currently, his Facebook and Twitter accounts have been deleted.

Caputo’s remarks came just two days after reports surfaced alleging that he pressured the CDC by demanding prior review and post-editing of COVID-19 related reports. Democratic members of the House Oversight and Reform Committee have launched an investigation into these allegations.

Known as a longtime aide to President Trump, Caputo was appointed as the HHS spokesperson in April despite having no healthcare experience, which sparked controversy. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued a statement defending him, saying, "Spokesperson Caputo is leading the government’s public relations efforts related to COVID-19 for the American people," and "He plays a key role in the president’s COVID-19 response," which further fueled the controversy.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.