FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
04/23/20
Government Accountability Project Condemns Retaliation Against a DHS Director
Doctor Leading Agency Effort to Develop Coronavirus Vaccine Removed from Post
WASHINGTON – Yesterday, the New York Times reported that the top official responsible for researching a vaccine for the novel coronavirus had been dismissed from his post after pushing for significant vetting of controversial treatments President Donald Trump has publicly supported. Until his removal, Dr. Rick Bright was the director of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority and the deputy assistant secretary for preparedness and response. Bright was given a position with less authority at the National Institutes of Health.
Louis Clark CEO and Executive Director of Government Accountability Project condemned the removal,
“The removal of Dr. Bright is a strike against an efficient, well-informed, and coherent response to an unparalleled public health threat. At this time, we are relying on the expertise of our federal officials to mount an aggressive response to fight this dangerous disease. All treatments must be well–vetted, and federal officials like Dr. Bright deserve to be rewarded, not condemned and retaliated against for raising concerns.”
Contact: Andrew Harman
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 457-0034 ext. 156
Government Accountability Project
Government Accountability Project is the nation’s leading whistleblower protection organization. Through litigating whistleblower cases, publicizing concerns and developing legal reforms, Government Accountability Project’s mission is to protect the public interest by promoting government and corporate accountability. Founded in 1977, Government Accountability Project is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C.
###