News
Without Warning Trump Fires Entire White House HIV/AIDS Council, Scrubs Names From Website Overnight
Fires All 16 Members Via FedEx
All sixteen members of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA) have been fired without warning or explanation, and overnight the White House website, HIV.gov, has been scrubbed of their names.
“With no explanation, the White House has terminated members of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS amid widespread discontent with President Trump’s approach to the epidemic,” The Washington Blade‘s Chris Johnson reported late Thursday night.
“After six members of PACHA resigned in June, the White House on Wednesday terminated the remaining 16 members without explanation via a letter from FedEx.”
This archived version of HIV.gov from November lists many of the sixteen members. But the current site lists just two staffers who also are employees of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The site states it was updated December 28.
Just two days earlier, VICE news reported members of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS “say they feel abandoned by the Trump administration.”
The Blade also points to this tweet from Lambda Legal senior attorney Scott Schoettes:
Remaining #HIV/AIDS council members booted by @realDonaldTrump. No respect for their service. Dangerous that #Trump and Co. (Pence esp.) are eliminating few remaining people willing to push back against harmful policies, like abstinence-only sex ed. #WeObject #PACHA6 #Resist
— Scott A. Schoettes (@PozAdvocate) December 28, 2017
Schoettes also posted this tweet, calling the firings a “purge”:
.@realDonaldTrump executing a purge: remaking the courts; ppl who use “transgender†and “vulnerable†out at HHS; #PACHA (#HIV council) members gone; wants to eliminate ppl @ FBI who didn’t vote for him; attempts to undermine free press. #Fascist #TrumpRussia #WeObject #Resist
— Scott A. Schoettes (@PozAdvocate) December 28, 2017
In June six other members of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS resigned amid concern over Trump’s lack of action on HIV/AIDS. Trump has also sought massive funding cuts to HIV/AIDS programs, both in the U.S. and around the world.
Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.