Part 2 of 2
_______________
Notes:1 Memorandum from Majority Staff to Members, Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, Supplemental Memorandum on Investigation into Political Interference with Coronavirus Response (Dec. 16, 2020) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... munity.pdf).
2 Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, Press Release: Select Subcommittee Investigation Finds Evidence Career CDC Officials Were Directed to Destroy Record of Political Interference by Trump Administration (Dec. 10, 2020) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/news/pres ... cials-were).
3 Transcribed Interview of Charlotte Kent (Dec. 7, 2020) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf) at 651 – 654, 1619 – 1622.
4 Letter from Sarah C. Arbes, Assistant Secretary for Legislation, Department of Health and Human Services, to Chairman James E. Clyburn, Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis (Dec. 15, 2020) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... 201215.pdf).
5 Transcribed Interview of Charlotte Kent (Dec. 7, 2020) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf) at 648 – 654, 1460 – 1463, 1503 – 1518, 1551 – 1572; see also id. at 1792 – 1803.
6 ‘We Want Them Infected’: Trump Appointee Demanded ‘Herd Immunity’ Strategy, Emails Reveal, Politico (Dec. 16, 2020) (online at
http://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/16 ... egy-446408).
7 Email from Paul Alexander, Senior Advisor, Department of Health and Human Services, to Bill Hall, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, Department of Health and Human Services (May 22, 2020) (SSCC-008869 – 71) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf).
8 Dr. Michelle A. Jorden, et al., Evidence for Limited Early Spread of COVID-19 Within the United States, January–February 2020, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (June 5, 2020) (online at
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6922e1.htm) (emphasis added).
9 Email from Bill Hall, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, Department of Health and Human Services to Paul Alexander, Senior Advisor, Department of Health and Human Services, et al. (June 5, 2020) (SSCC-0007790 – 92) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf) (emphasis added).
10 Dr. Mark Tenforde, et al., Characteristics of Adult Outpatients and Inpatients with COVID-19 — 11 Academic Medical Centers, United States, March–May 2020, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (July 3, 2020) (online at
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6926e3.htm); Email from Charlotte Kent, Chief of the Scientific Publications Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to Paul Alexander, Senior Advisor, Department of Health and Human Services (June 22, 2020) (SSCCManual-000106 – 09) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf).
11 Dr. Lara Bull-Otterson, et al., Hydroxychloroquine and Chloroquine Prescribing Patterns by Provider Specialty Following Initial Reports of Potential Benefit for COVID-19 Treatment — United States, January–June 2020, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (Sept. 4, 2020) (online at
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6935a4.htm); Email from Paul Alexander, Senior Advisor, Department of Health and Human Services, to Nina Witkofsky, Senior Advisor, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Michael Caputo, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, Department of Health and Human Services (June 29, 2020) (SSCC-0007294 – 305) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf).
12 Dr. Kiva A. Fischer, et al., Factors Associated with Cloth Face Covering Use Among Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, April and May 2020, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (July 17, 2020) (online at
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6928e3.htm); Email from Paul Alexander, Senior Advisor, Department of Health and Human Services, to Charlotte Kent, Chief of the Scientific Publications Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, et al. (July 14, 2020) (SSCC-0006018 – 24) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf).
13 Hilda Razzaghi, et al., Estimated County-Level Prevalence of Selected Underlying Medical Conditions Associated with Increased Risk for Severe COVID-19 Illness — United States, 2018, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (July 24, 2020) (online at
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6929a1.htm); Email from Charlotte Kent, Chief of the Scientific Publications Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to Paul Alexander, Senior Advisor, Department of Health and Human Services, et al. (July 21, 2020) (SSCCManual-000094 – 97) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf).
14 Dr. Heather Paradis, et al., Notes from the Field: Public Health Efforts to Mitigate COVID-19 Transmission During the April 7, 2020 Election ― City of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, March 13–May 5, 2020, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (July 31, 2020), Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (online at
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6930a4.htm); Email from Paul Alexander, Senior Advisor, Department of Health and Human Services, to Charlotte Kent, Chief of the Scientific Publications Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (July 27, 2020) (SSCC-0005359 – 63) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf).
15 Marisa Langdon-Embry, et al., Notes from the Field: Rebound in Routine Childhood Vaccine Administration Following Decline During the COVID-19 Pandemic — New York City, March 1–June 27, 2020, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (July 31, 2020) (online at
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6930a3.htm); Email from Paul Alexander, Senior Advisor, Department of Health and Human Services, to Charlotte Kent, Chief of the Scientific Publications Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (July 27, 2020) (SSCC-0005359 – 63) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf).
16 Christine M. Szablewski, et al., SARS-CoV-2 Transmission and Infection Among Attendees of an Overnight Camp — Georgia, June 2020, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (Aug. 7, 2020) (online at
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6931e1.htm); Email from Charlotte Kent, Chief of the Scientific Publications Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to Paul Alexander, Senior Advisor, Department of Health and Human Services, et al. (July 28, 2020) (SSCC-0002881 – 88) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf); Transcribed Interview of Charlotte Kent (Dec. 7, 2020) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf) at 1256 – 1259, 1283 – 1305.
17 Dr. Lindsay Kim, et al., Hospitalization Rates and Characteristics of Children Aged <18 Years Hospitalized with Laboratory-Confirmed COVID-19 — COVID-NET, 14 States, March 1–July 25, 2020, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (Aug. 14, 2020) (online at
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6932e3.htm); Email from Charlotte Kent, Chief of the Scientific Publications Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to Paul Alexander, Senior Advisor, Department of Health and Human Services, et al. (Aug. 6, 2020) (SSCCManual-000032 – 38) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf).
18 Dr. Shana Godfred-Cato, et al., COVID-19–Associated Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children — United States, March–July 2020, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (Aug. 14, 2020) (online at
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6932e2.htm); Email from Charlotte Kent, Chief of the Scientific Publications Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to Paul Alexander, Senior Advisor, Department of Health and Human Services, et al. (Aug. 6, 2020) (SSCCManual-000032 – 38) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf).
19 Dr. Laura L. Blaisdell, et al., Preventing and Mitigating SARS-CoV-2 Transmission — Four Overnight Camps, Maine, June–August 2020, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (Sept. 4, 2020) (online at
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6935e1.htm); Email from Michael Iademarco, Director of the Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to Charlotte Kent, Chief of the Scientific Publications Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Aug. 27, 2020) (SSCCManual_000017 – 22) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf).
20 Dr. Danae Bixler, et al., SARS-CoV-2–Associated Deaths Among Persons Aged <21 Years — United States, February 12–July 31, 2020, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (Sept. 18 2020) (online at
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6937e4.htm); Email from Nina Witkofsky, Acting Chief of Staff, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to Charlotte Kent, Chief of the Scientific Publications Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Sept. 11, 2020) (SSCCManual_000007 – 10) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf).
21 Email from Madeleine Hubbard, Special Assistant, Department of Health and Human Services, to Paul Alexander, Senior Advisor, Department of Health and Human Services (June 30, 2020) (SSCC-0007093 – 110) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf). Dr. Kent, the Editor-in-Chief of the MMWR, told the Select Subcommittee that the full text of articles are not shared outside of CDC. See Transcribed Interview of Charlotte Kent (Dec. 7, 2020) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf) at 308, 1053 –1059.
22 Dr. Lara Bull-Otterson, et al., Hydroxychloroquine and Chloroquine Prescribing Patterns by Provider Specialty Following Initial Reports of Potential Benefit for COVID-19 Treatment — United States, January–June 2020, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (Sept. 4, 2020) (online at
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6935a4.htm).
23 Trump Tells the Story of a ‘Miracle’ Cure for COVID-19. But Was it?, National Public Radio (Apr. 7, 2020) (online at
http://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus ... but-was-it); Letter from Rear Admiral Denise M. Hinton, Chief Scientist, Food and Drug Administration, to Gary L. Disbrow, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services (June 15, 2020) (online at
http://www.fda.gov/media/138945/download).
24 The email attached a journal article regarding hydroxychloroquine prescription trends from October 2019 through March 2020, which Dr. Alexander appeared to mistake for the MMWR itself. See Email from Paul Alexander, Senior Advisor, Department of Health and Human Services, to Nina Witkofsky, Senior Advisor, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Michael Caputo, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, Department of Health and Human Services (June 29, 2020) (SSCC-0007294 – 305) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf).
25 Email from Paul Alexander, Senior Advisor, Department of Health and Human Services, to Madeleine Hubbard, Special Assistant, Department of Health and Human Services (June 30, 2020) (SSCC-0006952 – 53) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf).
26 Email from Madeleine Hubbard, Special Assistant, Department of Health and Human Services, to Michael Caputo, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, Department of Health and Human Services, Paul Alexander, Senior Advisor, Department of Health and Human Services, and Brad Traverse, Senior Advisor, Department of Health and Human Services (July 2, 2020) (SSCC-0007178 – 81) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf).
27 Id.
28 Transcribed Interview of Charlotte Kent (Dec. 7, 2020) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf) at 1471 – 1483.
29 Id. at 765 – 802.
30 Email from Charlotte Kent, Chief of the Scientific Publications Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to Paul Alexander, Senior Advisor, Department of Health and Human Services, et al. (July 28, 2020) (SSCC-0002881 – 88) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf) (emphasis added).
31 Email from Michael Beach, Associate Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to Charlotte Kent, Chief of the Scientific Publications Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Henry Walke, Incident Manager for COVID-19 Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (July 27, 2020) (SSCCManual-000064 – 70) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf).
32 Email from Charlotte Kent, Chief of the Scientific Publications Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to Anne Schuchat, Principal Deputy Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (July 27, 2020) (SSCCManual_00071) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf); Email from Charlotte Kent, Chief of the Scientific Publications Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to Paul Alexander, Senior Advisor, Department of Health and Human Services, et al. (July 28, 2020) (SSCC-0002881 – 88) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf).
33 Email from Charlotte Kent, Chief of the Scientific Publications Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to Paul Alexander, Senior Advisor, Department of Health and Human Services, et al. (July 28, 2020) (SSCC-0002881 – 88) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf) (emphasis added).
34 Email from Charlotte Kent, Chief of the Scientific Publications Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to MMWR staff (July 27, 2020) (SSCCManual-000086 – 93) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf).
35 Email from Charlotte Kent, Chief of the Scientific Publications Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to Michael Iademarco, Director of the Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (July 28, 2020) (SSCCManual-000059 – 61) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf).
36 Transcribed Interview of Charlotte Kent (Dec. 7, 2020) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf) at 1256 – 1259, 1283 – 1305.
37 Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, Hearing on “The Urgent Need for a National Plan to Contain the Coronavirus” (July 31, 2020) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/subcommit ... oronavirus).
38 Email from Paul Alexander, Senior Advisor, Department of Health and Human Services, to Michael Caputo, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, Department of Health and Human Services, et al. (July 27, 2020) (SSCC-0002911 – 13) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf).
39 Email from Paul Alexander, Senior Advisor, Department of Health and Human Services, to Madeleine Hubbard, Special Assistant, Department of Health and Human Services (July 31, 2020) (SSCC-0003286 – 93) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf); Email from Paul Alexander, Senior Advisor, Department of Health and Human Services, to Michael Caputo, Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs, Department of Health and Human Services, et al. (Aug. 2, 2020) (SSCC-0005298 – 301) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf); Email from Paul Alexander, Senior Advisor, Department of Health and Human Services, to Madeleine Hubbard, Special Assistant, Department of Health and Human Services, et al. (Aug. 5, 2020) (SSCC-0008029 – 33) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf).
40 Email from Paul Alexander, Senior Advisor, Department of Health and Human Services, to Michael Caputo, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, Department of Health and Human Services, and Robert Redfield, Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, et al. (Aug. 8, 2020) (online at
http://www.politico.com/f/?id=00000176- ... de870a0000).
41 Letter from Chairman James E. Clyburn, Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, to Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex M. Azar II and Director Robert R. Redfield, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Dec. 10, 2020) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... 281%29.pdf).
42 See, e.g., Email from Charlotte Kent, Chief of the Scientific Publications Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to Noah Aleshire, Associate Director for Policy and Strategy, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Sept. 17, 2020) (SSCCManual-000001 – 02) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf).
43 Email from Communications Specialist, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to Kate Galatas, Deputy Communications Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Communications Specialist, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (June 27, 2020) (SSCCManual-000186 – 89) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf).
44 Id.
45 White House Strips CDC of Data Collection Role for COVID-19 Hospitalizations, National Public Radio (July 15, 2020) (online at
http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shot ... alizations).
46 Email from Kate Galatas, Deputy Communications Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to Robert R. Redfield, Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, et al. (July 17, 2020) (SSCCManual-000190 – 95) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf).
47 Email from Kate Galatas, Deputy Communications Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to Anne Schuchat, Principal Deputy Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, et al. (July 17, 2020) (SSCCManual-000174 – 79) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... cted_0.pdf).
48 Email from Madeleine Hubbard, Special Assistant, Department of Health and Human Services, to Paul Alexander, Senior Advisor, Department of Health and Human Services (June 30, 2020) (SSCC-0007093 – 110) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf); see also Transcribed Interview of Charlotte Kent (Dec. 7, 2020) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf) at 726 – 729, 804 – 810.
49 See, e.g., Email from Paul Alexander, Senior Advisor, Department of Health and Human Services, to Charlotte Kent, Chief of the Scientific Publications Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, et al. (July 14, 2020) (SSCC-0006018 – 24) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf); Email from Charlotte Kent, Chief of the Scientific Publications Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to Paul Alexander, Senior Advisor, Department of Health and Human Services, et al. (July 28, 2020) (SSCC-0002881 – 88) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf); Email from Kate Galatas, Deputy Communications Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to Robert R. Redfield, Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, et al. (July 17, 2020) (SSCCManual-000190 – 95) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf).
50 Email from Paul Alexander, Senior Advisor, Department of Health and Human Services, to Katherine McKeogh, Press Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services, et al. (Sept. 9, 2020) (SSCC-0008026 – 28) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf).
51 Email from Michael Iademarco, Director of the Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to Charlotte Kent, Chief of the Scientific Publications Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Sept. 11, 2020) (SSCCManual-000016) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf).
52 Trump Officials Interfered with CDC Reports on Covid-19, Politico (Sept. 12, 2020) (online at
http://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/11 ... -19-412809).
53 HHS Spokesman Caputo to Take Medical Leave After Reportedly Accusing CDC Officials of Plotting Against Trump, CNBC (Sept. 16, 2020) (online at
http://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/16/hhs-spok ... trump.html).
54 Letter from Chairman James E. Clyburn, Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, to Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex M. Azar II (Sept. 14, 2020) (online at coronavirus.house.gov/sites/democrats.coronavirus.house.gov/files/2020-09-14.Majority%20to%20Azar%20and%20Redfield%20re%20HHS%20and%20CDC%20on%20Political%20Interference%20.pdf).
55 Letter from Sarah C. Arbes, Assistant Secretary for Legislation, Department of Health and Human Services, to Chairman James E. Clyburn, Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis (Sept. 18, 2020) (online at coronavirus.house.gov/sites/democrats.coronavirus.house.gov/files/Clyburn%20TI%20Request%20Response%20%28signed%29.pdf).
56 Letter from Chairman James E. Clyburn, Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, to Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex M. Azar II (Sept. 22, 2020) (online at coronavirus.house.gov/sites/democrats.coronavirus.house.gov/files/2020-09-22.Clyburn%20to%20Azar%20re%20HHS%20TIs%20.pdf).
57 Letter from Sarah C. Arbes, Assistant Secretary for Legislation, Department of Health and Human Services, to Chairman James E. Clyburn, Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis (Sept. 25, 2020) (online at coronavirus.house.gov/sites/democrats.coronavirus.house.gov/files/09252020%20Clyburn%20TI%20Request%20Follow%20Up%20Response.pdf).
58 Email from Staff, Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, to Staff, Department of Health and Human Services (Sept. 27, 2020).
59 Email from Staff, Department of Health and Human Services, to Staff, Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis (Sept. 28, 2020).
60 Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, Hybrid Hearing with Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex M. Azar II (Oct. 2, 2020) (online at coronavirus.house.gov/subcommittee-activity/hearings/hybrid-hearing-secretary-health-and-human-services-alex-m-azar-ii).
61 Email from Staff, Department of Health and Human Services, to Staff, Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis (Oct. 7, 2020).
62 Letter from Chairman James E. Clyburn, Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, to Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex M. Azar II (Oct. 22, 2020) (online at coronavirus.house.gov/sites/democrats.coronavirus.house.gov/files/2020-10-22.Clyburn%20to%20Azar%20re%20TIs%20.pdf).
63 HHS’s letter stated that the Department could begin producing documents on November 9, but only agreed to provide an “initial” production without revealing what this production would include or when the full set of responsive documents would be provided. Letter from Sarah C. Arbes, Assistant Secretary for Legislation, Department of Health and Human Services, to Chairman James E. Clyburn, Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis (Oct. 27, 2020) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... 0FINAL.pdf).
64 Email from Staff, Department of Health and Human Services, to Staff, Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis (Oct. 29, 2020). The five “named custodians” are Alex M. Azar II, Robert R. Redfield, Michael Caputo, Paul Alexander, and Brad Traverse.
65 See, e.g¸ Email from Brett Giroir, Assistant Secretary for Health, Department of Health and Human Services, to Robert R. Redfield, Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, et al. (Aug. 22, 2019) (SSCC-00013457) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf); Email from Robert Levitt to Robert Levitt (Nov. 28, 2019) (SSCC-0013402 – 11) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf).
66 See SSCC-0002546 – 96 (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... 546-96.pdf). In another instance, HHS appears to have withheld a copy of “a paper just published,” also on the basis of privilege. See Email from Paul Alexander, Senior Advisor, Department of Health and Human Services, to Michael Pratt, Director of Strategic Communications and Campaigns, Department of Health and Human Services, et al. (Aug. 30, 2020) (SSCC-0014927 – 29) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... dacted.pdf).
67 Letter from Chairman James E. Clyburn, Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, to Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex M. Azar II and Director Robert R. Redfield, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Dec. 10, 2020) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... 281%29.pdf).
68 Moreover, counsel’s questions—which sought information regarding whether anyone instructed Dr. Kent to withhold information from Congress—did not implicate attorney-client communications.
69 Letter from Chairman James E. Clyburn, Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, to Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex M. Azar II and Director Robert R. Redfield, Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Dec. 10, 2020) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... 281%29.pdf).
70 Letter from Sarah C. Arbes, Assistant Secretary for Legislation, Department of Health and Human Services, to Chairman James E. Clyburn, Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis (Dec. 15, 2020) (online at
https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/dem ... 201215.pdf).
71 Trump v. Mazars USA, LLP, 591 U.S. ___ (2020), quoting Watkins v. United States, 354 U.S. 178 (1957).
72 Barenblatt v. United States, 360 U.S. 109 (1959).