Virologist who endorsed HCQ for COVID-19 appointed to top pandemic post at HHS

By ramontomeydw // 2025-05-10

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Steven J. Hatfill, a former White House COVID-19 advisor under Trump and advocate for hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) as an early COVID-19 treatment, has been appointed as a special adviser to the HHS' Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR).
Hatfill defended HCQ’s safety and efficacy, citing thousands of studies and Trump's use of the drug, despite federal agencies revoking its emergency authorization in 2020 over safety concerns and disputed evidence.
In his new role, Hatfill aims to improve readiness for future pandemics by analyzing global disease threats including influenza, bird flu and emerging pathogens.
While some medical professionals (e.g., Dr. Joseph Varon) support his appointment as a step toward rebuilding trust, critics (e.g., Public Citizen's Robert Steinbrook) argue HCQ's ineffectiveness is settled science and warn against ideology influencing policy.
Hatfill's past includes involvement in Trump's crusade to expose election fraud and a wrongful link to the 2001 anthrax attacks, raising questions about how his tenure may impact public health credibility.

A scientist who endorsed hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) as a treatment for the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) during the early days of the pandemic has been appointed to a key position at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Steven J. Hatfill, who previously served as a White House COVID-19 advisor during President Donald Trump's first term, was recruited again for the real estate mogul's second term – albeit in a new role this time. According to the Washington Post (WaPo), Hatfill began his second week as a special adviser in the director's office of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) on Monday, May 5. The ASPR is an agency tasked with pandemic readiness and biodefense, two fields Hatfill is no stranger to. Nevertheless, his appointment underscores lingering divisions over COVID-19 treatments that go against conventional medical advice. Hatfill, a former Army biodefense researcher, gained attention in 2020 for championing HCQ as an early intervention for COVID-19 despite pushback from federal health agencies and mainstream medical experts. He defended his stance in an interview with WaPo Saturday, May 3. "They gave the drug to the president. It is a safe drug," said Hatfill, referencing Trump's use of HCQ when he contracted COVID-19. The virologist also cited "5,000 controlled, randomized [and] peer-reviewed studies" that attested to HCQ's safety and efficacy when administered promptly. Hatfill also reiterated his commitment to "get us ready for the next pandemic." He expressed plans to work with other scientists at the ASPR to build "complete awareness of the scientific literature, not just for influenza, bird flu or COVID-19 – but other global diseases that could represent a threat to the United States."

Medical experts attest to HCQ's effectiveness

The Food and Drug Administration initially granted HCQ emergency use authorization in March 2020. But the agency revoked it three months later, citing cardiac risks and a lack of proven benefit. Critics, including Hatfill, argue that flawed studies – such as those administering the drug too late or at toxic doses – skewed the evidence. Other medical experts also attested to HCQ's effectiveness. Texas physician Dr. Mary Talley Bowden, who treated thousands of COVID-19 patients, said HCQ caused no serious side effects in her practice. Biological warfare expert Dr. Meryl Nass meanwhile noted the paradox of HCQ being deemed safe for lupus and malaria, but suddenly "dangerous" for COVID-19. (Related: Doctor who developed HCQ protocol has now successfully treated thousands of COVID-19 patients.) Dr. Joseph Varon, president and chief medical officer of the Independent Medical Alliance (IMA), praised HHS for "recognizing the value of voices like Hatfill." According to Varon, Hatfill's appointment is a step toward "rebuilding public trust" in healthcare. Formerly known as the Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance, the IMA was among the proponents of HCQ t0 address SARS-CoV-2 infection. But not everyone welcomed the virologist's appointment, including Robert Steinbrook, health research group director for the progressive nonprofit Public Citizen. He argued that HCQ's purported ineffectiveness against COVID-19 is settled science, noting that officials like Hatfill "should evaluate medicines based on evidence, not personal views." Hatfill's name is also embroiled in controversies outside HCQ. Emails released by a Democrat-led House subcommittee revealed Hatfill's involvement in Trump's crusade to expose election fraud after the 2020 elections. His past also includes a wrongful link to the 2001 anthrax attacks, which cost him his job before a $4.6 million settlement with the Department of Justice. As Hatfill assumes his new role, his tenure may test the balance between scientific rigor and ideological persistence in public health. With ASPR's future uncertain – with the agency potentially being folded into the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – his focus on global disease threats could either bridge divides or deepen them. Visit Pandemic.news for more similar stories. Watch this February 2023 episode of "The Zelenko Report" on Brighteon.TV, where Dr. Steven Hatfill talks about HCQ with Ann Vandersteel. This video is from the BrighteonTV channel on Brighteon.com.

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Medical experts attest to HCQ's effectiveness

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