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US officials delayed warning public about heart inflammation risk from COVID shot: report
U.S. health officials knew about the risks of myocarditis from COVID-19 vaccines but downplayed the concern and delayed informing the public about the risks of taking the jab — that is according to a new Senate report released by Sen. Ron Johnson Wednesday.
Johnson, R-Wis., chairman of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, has been investigating the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines. Earlier this year, he subpoenaed the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for records relating to COVID-19 vaccine safety data and communications about the pandemic.
SEN. RON JOHNSON: THE COVID COVER-UPS HAVE TO END
The interim report, spanning 55 pages, obtained and reviewed by Fox News Digital, revealed that Biden administration officials «withheld crucial health information from the Subcommittee and the public.»
Since 2021, Johnson has sent more than 70 oversight letters, which he says were «either completely ignored or inadequately addressed.»
The report highlights the records Johnson has obtained pursuant to the subpoena from the new, Trump administration-led health agency. Specifically, the report focuses on HHS’ awareness of and response to cases of myocarditis—a type of heart inflammation—following COVID-19 vaccination.
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Johnson’s report says the 2,473 pages of records he obtained «contain evidence of the Biden administration’s efforts to downplay and delay warning the public about the risks of myocarditis associated with the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.»
The report points to records from May 2021, in which health officials at HHS discussed whether to issue a formal warning about myocarditis.
According to the report, the formal warning about myocarditis was initially going to be distributed nationwide as a Health Alert Network message, which, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is CDC’s «primary method of sharing cleared information about urgent public health incidents with public information officers; federal, state, territorial, tribal, and local public health practitioners; clinicians; and public health laboratories.»
Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, along with other Senate Republicans, slammed the CDC’s new mask recommendations. (Getty Images)
However, Johnson’s report said that health officials at CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) «ultimately decided against issuing a formal HAN and, instead, posted ‘clinical considerations’ on CDC’s website about myocarditis.»
«Based on the subpoenaed records the Subcommittee has received to date, as well as public FOIA documents, this interim report will highlight records and present a timeline showing U.S. health officials knew about the risk of myocarditis; those officials downplayed the health concern; and U.S. health agencies delayed informing the public about the risk of the adverse event.»
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The report also highlights the Israeli Ministry of Health notifying officials at the CDC in February 2021 of «large reports of myocarditis, particularly in young people, following the administration of the Pfizer vaccine.»
The report also highlights documents showing CDC officials discussing «safety signals» for myocarditis with mRNA vaccines in April 2021 based on Defense Department and Israeli data, but «still not taking immediate steps to warn the public.»
Documents obtained by Johnson also show CDC officials communicating with Moderna and Pfizer representatives about the risks.
Vials with Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine labels are seen in this illustration picture taken March 19, 2021. (Reuters/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo)
Johnson also obtained «draft meeting notes from late May 2021 exchanged between U.S. public health officials which included the question: ‘Is VAERS signaling for myopericarditis now?,’ and the answer: ‘For the age groups 16-17 years and 18-24 years, yes.’»
«VAERS» is an acronym for the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System.
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«Rather than provide the public and health care providers with immediate and transparent information regarding the risk of myocarditis following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination, the Biden administration waited until late June 2021 to announce changes to the labels for the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines based on the ‘suggested increased risks’ of myocarditis and pericarditis,» the report states. «Even though CDC and FDA officials were well aware of the risk of myocarditis following COVID-19 vaccination, the Biden administration opted to withhold issuing a formal warning to the public for months about the safety concerns, jeopardizing the health of young Americans.»
The report added that the Biden administration’s decision «to downplay the COVID-19 vaccine health risks and delay warning the public about cardiac-related adverse events associated with the mRNA vaccines jeopardized the public’s health.»
According to the report, as of April 25, 2025, VAERS reported 38,607 deaths and more than 1.6 million «adverse events worldwide associated with the administration of COVID-19 injections.»
(Sen. Ron Johnson says the Biden administration withheld crucial health information about the COVID-19 vaccine.)
Of the more than 38,000 deaths, the report said 25% occurred on Day 0, 1, or 2 following injection, compared to «2,663 deaths reported to VAERS associated with the flu vaccine over a period of 35 years.»
«No other reports of adverse events associated with any other drug or vaccine even come close to these statistics,» the report states. «And yet, those who oversaw the development and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines continue to insist it is safe and effective, without providing the data to prove their claims.»
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Johnson’s report demands that the «full extent» of the Biden administration’s «failure to immediately warn the public about all COVID-19 vaccine adverse events must be completely exposed.»
«The American people fund the federal health departments and agencies with their hardearned tax dollars,» the report states. «The information developed by these departments and agencies belong to the American people, and should be made fully and transparently available.»
The report states that as «the roadblocks are removed and more documents that have been hidden and withheld for years become available, the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations will provide transparency and let the American public see what is their right to see.»
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that U.S. sanctions on Cuba are tied to political change on the island, as the country faces widespread blackouts, unrest and a worsening economic crisis.
«Suffice it to say that the embargo is tied to political change on the island,» Rubio told reporters at the White House. «The law, it’s been codified. And, but the bottom line is their economy doesn’t work. It’s a nonfunctional economy. It’s an economy that has survived.… That thing they have, has survived on subsidies from the Soviet Union and now from Venezuela. They don’t get subsidies anymore. So they’re in a lot of trouble. And the people in charge of them don’t know how to fix it. So they have to get new people in charge.»
Rubio’s comments come as Cuba faces a deepening energy crisis that has fueled protests and instability.
A nationwide power grid collapse left roughly 10 million people without electricity, according to U.S. Embassy statements and Cuban authorities.
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People walk on the street during a blackout in Havana, March 16, 2026. (Ramon Espinosa/AP)
President Donald Trump indicated his administration is actively engaged.
«Cuba right now is in very bad shape. They’re talking to Marco,» Trump told the reporters, «We’ll be doing something with Cuba very soon.… We’re dealing with Cuba.»
Trump escalated his rhetoric against Cuba Monday, saying he expected to have the «honor» of «taking Cuba in some form» and that «I can do anything I want» with the neighboring country.
A senior State Department official rejected claims that U.S. sanctions are responsible for the humanitarian situation, saying, «Widespread blackouts have sadly become common for many years in Cuba — a symptom of the failing regime’s incompetence and inability to provide even the most basic goods and service for its people.»
«This is the tragic result of over 60 years of Communist rule,» the official added. «An island that was once the crown jewel of the Caribbean has plunged into extreme poverty and darkness.
«As President Trump has said, what is left of the regime should make a deal and finally let the Cuban people be free and prosperous, with the help of the United States,» the official told Fox News Digital.
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Protesters gather outside a Communist Party headquarters in Morón, Cuba, as a fire burns in the street during overnight unrest. Video obtained by Fox News Digital appeared to show demonstrators attempting to set fire to the building amid protests linked to widespread blackouts. (Reuters)
Cuban human rights activist Rosa María Payá argued that the current crisis reflects systemic collapse inside the regime, not external pressure.
«The blackout is the regime’s collapse made visible: 65 years of totalitarianism finally consuming itself,» Payá told Fox News Digital. «The protests are Cubans refusing to disappear into that darkness.»
She rejected claims that U.S. sanctions are driving the humanitarian situation.
«Cubans are not suffering because of American policy,» she said. «They are suffering because of a dictatorship. Pressure on the regime works. What hurts the Cuban people is legitimizing it.»
«The only way to end the humanitarian catastrophe is to end the regime,» Payá added. «That’s the demand of the Cuban people.»
Recent blackouts and shortages have been linked to failures at key infrastructure, including the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric power plant, as well as fuel shortages following U.S. actions to curtail oil shipments from Venezuela, one of Cuba’s primary energy suppliers.
At the same time, Pentagon officials told lawmakers there are no plans to invade Cuba, even as they described it as a long-standing security concern.
Joseph Humire, performing the duties of assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense and Americas security affairs, said he was «not familiar with any plans on Cuba» when asked during a House Armed Services Committee hearing Tuesday.
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Riot police walk the streets after a demonstration against the government of President Miguel Diaz-Canel in Arroyo Naranjo Municipality, Havana, on July 12, 2021. (Yamil Lage/AFP)
He described Cuba as «one of the strongest intelligence adversaries that we’ve had in the United States,» adding that Cuban officials have operated across the region and were «defending Nicolás Maduro… in Caracas» during past operations.
Cuba’s government has blamed U.S. sanctions for worsening the crisis, while U.S. officials argue it stems from decades of economic mismanagement and reliance on foreign subsidies.
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INTERNACIONAL
‘Deeply disturbing’ animal cruelty operation involving baby monkeys busted by ICE investigation
Trump Cabinet teams up to end animal abuse
Attorney General Pam Bondi, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. discuss why animal cruelty is so important to end on ‘My View with Lara Trump.’
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A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) investigation in Florida busted a «deeply disturbing» illegal animal cruelty operation involving baby monkeys by U.S. citizen Francisco Javier Ravelo.
According to the Justice Department, Ravelo, 36, pleaded guilty in federal court to distributing videos depicting the torture of both adult and baby monkeys that involved mutilation and burning. The DOJ said Ravelo personally distributed more than 40 torture videos and that his actions violated the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act, which was signed into law by President Donald Trump during his first term.
Ravelo now faces up to seven years in prison.
The DOJ said the animal cruelty scheme was exposed by an investigation by ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), which is the primary criminal investigations arm of the Department of Homeland Security.
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An investigation by ICE Homeland Security Investigations led to U.S. citizen Francisco Javier Ravelo pleading guilty to distributing videos depicting the torture of both adult and baby monkeys that involved mutilation and burning. (Arnulfo Franco/AP Photo; ICE)
Jason Reding Quiñones, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, called the case «deeply disturbing» and evidenced a willingness on the part of Ravelo to «inflict suffering without remorse.»
«As a former state court trial judge who presided over domestic violence cases, I was trained to recognize lethality factors, warning signs that violence is escalating. Deliberate cruelty to animals is one of the clearest red flags,» he said. «It reflects a willingness to dominate, torture, and inflict suffering without remorse.»
Quiñones condemned Ravelo’s actions in no uncertain terms, calling it a «serious federal crime» that he said «fuels a market built on brutality.»
Adam Gustafson, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division, commented that «if you are involved in this sadistic activity, we will prosecute you.»
Meanwhile, Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said that while Ravelo «didn’t count on HSI being able to track him down, pull together evidence and present it to the judge … now he knows better.»
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Screenshots taken by ICE of a video distributed by Ravelo depicting the torture of a monkey. (ICE)
«Homeland Security Investigations pieced together the case that led to Ravelo’s guilty plea,» said Lyons, adding, «I hope this serves as a warning to others who acquire or distribute this kind of content: HSI will find you, and you’ll end up in federal court just like Ravelo did.»
Upon signing the PACT Act in 2019, Trump said, «It is important that we combat these heinous and sadistic acts of cruelty, which are totally unacceptable in a civilized society.»
Trump said that the passage of the PACT Act was «something that should have happened a long time ago.»
This year, Trump also launched a new multi-agency initiative to strengthen enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, specifically targeting chronic puppy mill violators and dogfighting rings. The move was commended by Humane World for Animals.
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President Donald Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, in Washington. (Evan Vucci/AP Photo)
In a statement announcing the initiative, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said that Trump administration agencies are «taking historic actions» to hold chronic pet welfare violators accountable.
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The agency said the initiative «will boost compliance with existing laws, protect our companion animals,» and reiterates that the Trump administration «stands with the majority of Americans» who are pet owners.
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INTERNACIONAL
Sin la OTAN y con críticas internas, Trump analiza opciones para reabrir el estrecho de Ormuz y terminar la guerra de Irán
Donald Trump comienza a percibir el riesgo de un empantanamiento en la guerra en Medio Oriente.
Sin el respaldo de la OTAN y con un ruido interno difícil de esconder después de la renuncia y las explosivas declaraciones del director del Centro Nacional de Contraterrorismo Joseph Kent, el presidente estadounidense ve cómo se le cierran las opciones para reabrir el estrecho de Ormuz y declarar el fin del conflicto.
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Kent dejó al descubierto el descontento que se expande no solo en el gobierno, sino también en las filas republicanas y en especial en el movimiento MAGA (“Make America Great Again”) que apoyó a Trump por sus promesas de alejar a Estados Unidos de cualquier conflicto internacional y su lema “America first” (”Estados Unidos primero»).
“Irán no representaba una amenaza inminente contra nuestra nación, y está claro que iniciamos esta guerra a causa de la presión de Israel y su poderoso lobby estadounidense”, escribió Kent en X.
Fue una bomba interna que hizo mucho ruido en la Casa Blanca.
La respuesta fue la esperada. Trump calificó de “débil” a Kent y afirmó: “No lo conocía bien, pensé que parecía un tipo bastante agradable, pero cuando leí su declaración, me di cuenta de que es algo bueno que se haya ido, porque dijo que Irán no era una amenaza. Irán era una amenaza”.
También apuntó contra sus socios de la OTAN, la alianza atlántica que soportó su presión y dejó en claro que no participará en maniobras para reabrir el estrecho de Ormuz, virtualmente cerrado por Irán y por donde pasa el 20% del crudo y el gas licuado natural del mundo.
“Creo que la OTAN está cometiendo un error realmente estúpido”, afirmó. “Ante el hecho de que hemos tenido tanto éxito militar, ya no ‘necesitamos’ ni deseamos la ayuda de los países de la OTAN: ¡NUNCA LA NECESITAMOS! ¡NO NECESITAMOS LA AYUDA DE NADIE!”, apuntó.
Cuáles son los caminos que tienen Trump para reabrir el estrecho de Ormuz
Trump sabe que no puede declarar el fin de la guerra más allá de sus rotundos éxitos militares desde el aire. Si Irán, acorralado y debilitado, no libera el estrecho de Ormuz, el mundo corre el riesgo de caer en una crisis energética y comercial de consecuencias profundas.
El analista Mehran Kamrava, profesor de ciencias políticas de la Universidad de Georgetown de Qatar, dijo a TN que “las opciones de Trump para mantener abierto el Estrecho de Ormuz son limitadas”.
Un barco turco logró pasar por el estrecho de Ormuz tras lograr el permiso de las autoridades iraníes, que lo mantienen bloqueado. (Foto: EFE – Tasnim News)
“Cerrar el estrecho es relativamente fácil. Sin embargo, dada su estrechez, es fácil hostigar o incluso atacar a los barcos que lo atraviesan. Mantenerlo abierto es mucho más difícil. Las opciones de Trump son escasas, y tampoco son muy favorables desde su perspectiva”, afirmó.
Al respecto, señaló: “Puede intentar desembarcar tropas en alguna de las islas iraníes del Golfo Pérsico, como Kharg, Qeshm, Kish o alguna de las islas menores. Estados Unidos también podría intentar seguir debilitando a la armada iraní lo máximo posible. Aparte de estas dos opciones, no parece que Estados Unidos tenga muchas alternativas“, alertó.
El tiempo pasa en un año electoral y la campaña se acerca peligrosamente para los republicanos. Las elecciones de medio tiempo están pautadas para el 3 de noviembre y ningún candidato oficialista quiere lidiar con una guerra.
Lo que parecía un conficto breve se extiende en forma peligrosa. Irán, con la simple estrategia de crear caos bombardeando a países del Golfo y cerrando el estrecho de Ormuz, mantiene abierta una guerra de difícil resolución.
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“Algunos de los aliados (de Trump) creen que el presidente ya no controla cómo ni cuándo termina la guerra. Temen que los ataques de Irán contra petroleros en el estrecho de Ormuz estén acorralando a Trump en una situación en la que intensificar el conflicto – e incluso, potencialmente, enviar tropas estadounidenses- se convierta en la única manera de proclamar una victoria creíble”, escribió el medio estadounidense Político.
Una fuente cercana a la Casa Blanca, citada por el sitio, definió: “Claramente les dimos una paliza a Irán en el campo de batalla, pero, en gran medida, ahora ellos tienen la sartén por el mango”.
“Ellos deciden cuánto tiempo estaremos involucrados y deciden si enviamos tropas sobre el terreno. Y no me parece que haya forma de evitarlo si queremos salvar las apariencias”, afirmó.
Analistas estadounidenses creen que la única manera de garantizar la apertura del estrecho es a través del despliegue de tropas en franjas de territorio iraní. Es un escenario de pesadilla para los republicanos en campaña. Temen que la guerra se convierta en un conflicto interminable en Medio Oriente que tanto criticó el presidente en el pasado.
Jack Posobiec, aliado de Trump, dijo que a Washington le quedan opciones antes de lanzar una invasión: puede detener petroleros iraníes, lanzar ciberataques y poner en la mira a activos financieros iraníes.
“Esto también aumenta el nivel de escalada, pero no necesariamente requiere tropas sobre el terreno”, dijo citado por Político.
Pero Trump tiene que lidiar también con cuestiones internas. La renuncia de Kent causó ruido en el gobierno. Un funcionario anónimo citado por The Washington Post expresó su admiración por Kent y su desánimo por el curso de la guerra: “Todo el mundo está harto de esta mierda”, dijo.
Más allá de sus declaraciones grandilocuentes, a Trump le pasan los días y el conflicto sigue sin solución a la vista. La guerra puede convertirse en una pesada ancla para el presidente en un año electoral en el que se definirá cómo será el segundo tramo de su mandato.
Donald Trump, Israel, Irán
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Adorni dijo que la presencia de su mujer en la comitiva presidencial “no fue un delito, fue un error”
