FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Doctors for America
PO Box: 21161
2300 18th St NW Lbby
Washington, DC 20009-9996
August 11, 2025
Doctors for America Is Saddened by the Shooting at the Centers for Disease Control
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Doctors for America is deeply saddened and profoundly alarmed by the shooting at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Friday, August 8th, 2025, which claimed the life of a police officer. Our thoughts are with the officer’s family, friends, and colleagues, as well as all those impacted by this senseless act of violence.
This horrific incident is part of a deeply troubling trend across the nation: the rise in antagonistic rhetoric, harassment, and violence towards public health, scientific, and medical professionals. These individuals who have dedicated their lives to safeguarding the health, safety and well-being of all Americans – often at great personal sacrifice. Attacks on these professionals are attacks on the very infrastructure that keeps our communities healthy.
Gun violence is not an isolated issue – it is a public health crisis that threatens every corner of our nation. No one should have to live, work, learn or serve under the constant fear of being targeted by gunfire. All Americans deserve to move about their daily lives free from the shadow of such violence, especially those who stand on the front lines of protecting public health.
We call on our elected officials and leaders at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, including Secretary Kennedy, to take immediate and decisive actions to protect our public health professionals by:
- Denouncing all violence, including hate speech, harassment, and threats directed at scientific, medical, and public health professionals
- Passing sensible gun legislation that will reduce the risk of firearm related harm and save lives
- Reinstating and fully funding the Office of Gun Violence Prevention to coordinate a national, science-driven strategy to address this oncoming epidemic.
We cannot allow fear and violence to silence science or intimidate those committed to saving lives. It is our collective responsibility – across government, healthcare and communities to ensure that our public health workforce is protected, supported, and able to carry out their mission without threat or harm.
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About Doctors for America:
Doctors for America (DFA) is a national movement of more than 27,000 physicians and medical students across all 50 states and every specialty who are committed to putting patients over politics. We mobilize and train clinicians to be effective advocates, equipping them with the skills to influence policy and lead change at both state and federal levels. Our work focuses on three core areas: expanding access to affordable care, strengthening community health and prevention, and advancing health justice and equity. Unlike many organizations, DFA does not accept funding from pharmaceutical companies, insurers, or for-profit healthcare corporations—ensuring that our voice remains independent, trusted, and grounded solely in what is best for patients. By uniting the trusted voices of doctors and medical trainees, DFA drives policy change, defends evidence-based care, and works to improve the health of our patients, communities, and nation. Find out more at doctorsforamerica.org and on Twitter or Bluesky.