Trump Health Official Apologizes To Staff Following Facebook Outburst Accusing Scientists of 'Sedition'

A top spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services gathered staffers Tuesday to apologize for a series of baseless accusations against government scientists over the weekend.

Michael Caputo, who is known as a strong ally of President Trump, took to Facebook Live on his personal page Sunday to release a barrage of right-wing conspiracy theories, in part aimed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, accusing its scientists of “sedition.”

Caputo's rant asserted that scientists "deep in the bowels of the CDC have given up science and become political animals,” and that they "haven't gotten out of their sweatpants except for meetings at coffee shops" to plot "how they're going to attack Donald Trump next."

In the aftermath of this outburst, Caputo said his behavior could be attributed to faltering health conditions, saying his "mental health has definitely failed.” He also cited duress due to death threats against his family.

"...[M]y family and I have been continually threatened and in and out of criminal court dealing with harassment prosecutions. This weighs heavily on us and we deeply appreciate the friendship and support of President Trump as we address these matters and keep our children safe," Caputo told CNN.

Politico had reported that sources with insight into Caputo's emergency meeting with HHS staff signaled his imminent departure from the department. One former HHS official added that Caputo had complained for years of the stress caused by being mentioned in the special counsel’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Contrary to the report, Caputo said in his Facebook rant, "I'm not going anywhere."I swear to God, as God is my witness, I am not stopping.”