CDC shooting intensifies conversation over public health misinformation

Published On: August 12, 2025

Long before a shooter opened fire on four buildings on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention site in Atlanta, the organization was already a representation of President Donald Trump’s second-term goal.

However, Friday’s assault, which claimed the life of a police officer who attempted to stop the gunman, elevated the CDC to a sad focal point in a larger political debate about disinformation and public health.

For many years, the CDC has contributed to Atlanta’s status as a center for public health and research, attracting world-class professionals whose work is essential to the city’s identity and economy. When Trump initially promised cuts to the CDC earlier this year, it’s no surprise that Save the CDC placards became ubiquitous around the region.

Initial responses from politicians of all stripes lamented the officer’s passing and denounced the violence that occurred last week. But when it was revealed that the suspect was obsessed with the coronavirus vaccine, which he blamed for his health issues, Democrats swiftly intensified their criticism.

Leading Democratic gubernatorial candidate and state senator Jason Esteves of Atlanta connected the violence to the Trump administration’s mandated layoffs that destroyed the CDC.

He claimed that over the past year, these dedicated men and women have experienced targeted gun violence, financial cuts, careless mass firings, and the politicization of their public service. It’s past time for our state and federal leaders to take action to defend and assist our CDC and public health professionals because this shouldn’t be the case.

David Aaro/AJC is credited.

Additionally, the campuswide advisory was issued by Emory University scientist and Democratic state representative Jasmine Clark, who is running for Congress. Go into hiding. Fight. rocked her to her very core.

Clark wrote on X that everyone should be able to go to work and school without worrying about getting shot. Parents should not have to get an emergency text stating that bullets have been fired next door before they can drop their kid off at daycare. This is not our reality, and I will not accept it.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the secretary of health and human services for the United States, expressed his sadness over the shooting and stated that no one should have to deal with violence while trying to safeguard the health of others.

Kennedy was blamed by a group of CDC layoffs known as Fired for Fighting for his persistent fabrications on science and vaccine safety, which have fostered an atmosphere of animosity and mistrust.

The group went on to say: We don’t require prayers and thoughts. An administration that does not demonize federal employees who are merely attempting to carry out their duties is what we need. We require an HHS secretary who does not spread false information regarding vaccines and science.

Things to know

Good morning! The qualifying period for this fall’s municipal elections begins in one week.

Three more things to be aware of today are as follows:

The Blue-Ribbon Study Committee on Election Procedures has become a public venue for conservative activists to demand major changes to Georgia elections, writes the

AJC s Mark Niesse

.
Authorities arrested a northwest Georgia man accused of making a threat on social media to kill President Donald Trump, the

AJC s Alexis Stevens reports

.
Several Georgia hemp companies are suing the state, saying new regulations threaten to put them out of business, the

AJC s Amy Wenk reports

.

Absent students

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During the off-season, Georgia lawmakers are contemplating strategies to get the state’s chronically absent pupils back to school. However, they won’t have to go far for a possible remedy.

In 2022, almost 42% of Chattooga County School District pupils missed at least 18 days of class. The previous academic year? It has dropped to 17.8%.

Hiring a part-time principal who was familiar with the neighborhood was one of their best strategies. The district adopted a “how can I help?” strategy in instead of scaring parents and pupils.

According to Justin Hill, deputy superintendent for the Georgia Department of Education, this individual reimagined the role of what was formerly known as a truancy officer. They concentrated on house visits rather than handling court proceedings.

Despite being costly, this approach was successful in part because the district was more manageable and smaller. According to Hill, it was an excellent illustration of how schools may thrive by emphasizing the enhancement of the educational experience.

Make pupils truly want to attend class and enjoy their time there, he suggested.

Georgia 2026

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Although the field for Georgia’s 2026 elections is nearly complete, one of the most well-known Democratic figures is still not participating.

State Senator Sonya Halpern has been debating for months whether to run for higher office or remain in her post in Atlanta. Earlier this year, she made a brief run for the seat of U.S. Representative Lucy McBath, but she withdrew when the incumbent decided to remain in office.

Halpern informed us that she hasn’t chosen what to do next.

Whether in my role as a state senator or another official position, my goal is to produce victories for Georgia, she stated. I’m considering my choices to see how I can best contribute to the advancement of our state.

Campaign watch

Hyosub Shin/AJC is credited.

There will yet be surprises even if the field may be solidifying.

When state representative David Clark, a Republican from Suwanee, filed his papers to run for lieutenant governor over the weekend, it created a stir among Republicans. He informed us that a formal announcement might be made shortly.

Early in his reign, Clark, a veteran of the war, was a bit of a rabble-rouser. He attempted to overthrow then-House Speaker David Ralston and ran unsuccessfully for his gavel in 2020. He was expelled from the House floor the following year for refusing to get tested for COVID-19.

He said a few months later that he would not run for another term. However, after redistricting, he changed his mind and defeated another incumbent in the 2022 GOP primary.

He has recently taken on a more subdued demeanor. He advocated for bipartisan legislation this year to limit judges’ authority to compel contentious reunion therapies, which are used by certain family courts to resolve custody disputes.

Pick a side

Mark Niesse/AJC is credited.

What constitutes a Republican? Or a Democrat? Georgia law is unclear, and the courts haven’t provided a clear solution. A local election officer is now requesting that lawmakers resolve the issue.

Last Monday, Noah Beck, the director of elections for Polk County, begged state legislators to intervene and enact legislation that clarifies the circumstances under which candidates can join political parties.

According to Beck, politicians might let the political parties handle it themselves, giving them the authority to serve as the ballot’s guardians. Alternatively, they might limit the parties’ authority, allowing candidates to declare their allegiance.

We would ask that you at least come down on the issue on one side or the other, Beck told lawmakers during a meeting of the HouseBlue-Ribbon Study Committee on Election Procedures. When you don t and the judiciary puts off answering the question, it becomes an issue for us.

The Catoosa County GOP hasattempted to disqualifysome candidates from running as Republicans. Judges have, so far, stopped those efforts but without answering the underlying question of if local parties have the power to do this.

Budget watch

Georgia s tax collectionsfell 2.7%in July compared to a year ago, a decrease of about $70 million.

Taxes on sales, individual income, gas and motor vehicles were all up slightly. But corporate income taxes were down a whopping 56.6%.Gov. Brian Kemps office noted state and corporate tax rates are 3.7% lower now than they were this time last year.

Lawmakers and their political consultants will be watching the numbers closely over the next year as Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and other ambitious Republican senators pledge to pass a plan toeliminate the state s income tax.

Human trafficking

Credit: Natrice Miller/AJC

Attorney General Chris Carr announced last week the arrest of a 29-year-old man Bibb County man accused of selling a 15-year-old girl for sex.

The arrest is part of the attorney general s newly expanded Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit, which Carr started in 2019 with support fromGov. Brian Kempand the state Legislature.

This year, lawmakers agreed to spend more than $748,000 to expand the unit into Augusta and Macon. Those cities sit near major interstates, making them more likely to be part of the routes used by human traffickers.

We established a new regional team in Macon for this very reason, Carr, who is running for governor, said in anews release. We won t rest until every victim is recovered and every trafficker is behind bars.

Listen up

Credit: Jenni Girtman for the AJC

Today on thePolitically Georgiapodcast the hosts discuss former DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond s decision to enter the Democratic primary for governor. Then AJC education reporter Martha Dalton joins the show to explain why Georgia schools are starting earlier than ever and discuss concerns about decliningchildhood vaccination rates.

You can listen and subscribe to Politically Georgia for free atApple Podcasts,Spotifyor wherever you get your podcasts.

Have a question or comment for the show? Email us [email protected] give us a call at 770-810-5297 and you could be featured on a future episode.

Trump today

President Donald Trump will hold a news conference at the White House to announce he is using federal resources to address his concerns aboutcrime and homelessnessin the District of Columbia.

Shoutouts

Credit: Natrice Miller/AJC

Belated birthdays:

State Rep. Lauren McDonald III, R-Cumming (was Sunday).
Olu Brown, Democratic candidate for governor (was Sunday).

Want a birthday shoutout in the Politically Georgia newsletter? There s a form for that.Click hereto submit the shoutouts. It s not just birthdays. We re also interested in new jobs, engagements, birth announcements, etc.

Before you go

Credit: Jason Getz/AJC

DemocraticU.S. Sen. Jon Ossoffis scheduled to speak to the Atlanta Rotary Club today at noon.

That ll do it for us today. As always, you can send your best scoops, gossip and insider info [email protected],[email protected],[email protected]@ajc.com.