Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar slammed Dr. Rick Bright for his testimony on Capitol Hill criticizing the Trump administration’s response to the coronavirus.
Bright, the former director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, filed a whistleblower complaint against the Trump administration and claimed he was demoted for demanding more evidence about the effectiveness of the controversial coronavirus treatment drug hydroxychloroquine. He said he was fired for disagreeing with the administration’s plan to fight the coronavirus.
“Everything he’s complaining about was achieved. Everything he talked about was done,” Azar told reporters before boarding Marine One at the White House on Thursday. “He says he talked about the need for respirators. We procured respirators under the president’s direction. He said we need a Manhattan Project for vaccines. This president initiates a vaccine Manhattan Project, diagnostic Manhattan Project, therapeutic Manhattan Project.”
“Oh, and, by the way, whose job was it to actually lead the development of vaccines? Dr. Bright. So, while we are launching Operation Warp Speed, he’s not showing up for work to be part of that,” Azar added. “So, this is like somebody who was in a choir and is now trying to say he was a soloist back then.”
Azar went on to say that Bright signed the Food and Drug Administration application for authorization of hydroxychloroquine.
“And hydroxychloroquine, Dr. Bright literally signed the application for FDA authorization of it,” Azar said. “Literally, he is the sponsor of it. So, his allegations do not hold water. They do not hold water.”
President Trump joined Azar’s criticism of Bright on Thursday by dismissing him as a “disgruntled employee.”
I don’t know the so-called Whistleblower Rick Bright, never met him or even heard of him, but to me he is a disgruntled employee, not liked or respected by people I spoke to and who, with his attitude, should no longer be working for our government!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 14, 2020
“I believe Americans need to be told the truth,” Bright said during his testimony. “We did not forewarn people. We did not train people. We did not educate them on social distancing and wearing a mask as we should have in January and February. All those forewarnings, all those educational opportunities, for the American public, could have had an impact in further slowing this outbreak and saving more lives.”
HHS Secretary Alex Azar unloads on coronavirus whistleblower Dr. Rick Bright, currently testifying before the House:
“Everything he is complaining about was achieved… While we’re launching Operation Warp Speed, he’s not showing up for work to be part of that.” pic.twitter.com/mrSmg0xWWu
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) May 14, 2020
