June 28: CDC Expert Quits Over Vaccine Policy, Budget Battle Brews, Mideast Conflict Deepens, and Nation Mourns Tragic Attack

Developments unfolded rapidly on June 28, 2025, spanning critical shifts in public health policy, contentious domestic political maneuvering, complex international diplomacy, and escalating conflict in the Middle East, alongside the solemn mourning following a tragic domestic attack.

CDC Turmoil Over Vaccine Policy

A significant departure rattled the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as Dr. Fiona Havers, formerly a top CDC vaccine expert, resigned from her position. Dr. Havers cited her resignation as being in protest over recent actions taken by Secretary Kennedy. The core of her protest centers on Secretary Kennedy’s controversial decision to dismiss members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and subsequently appoint new members who are widely described as being skeptical of vaccines. This move has sparked considerable debate within the public health community and raised questions about the future direction of federal vaccine guidance.

Senate Republicans Unveil Budget Proposal

Domestically, the political landscape remained fraught with tension as Senate Republicans unveiled their version of what is being referred to as President Trump’s “big budget bill”. This presentation sets the stage for intense debate and negotiation with the administration and potentially other factions in Congress, outlining the Republican priorities and vision for federal spending and financial policy under the proposed budget.

European Diplomacy Navigates Relations with Trump and Iran

On the international front, Europe’s top diplomat addressed pressing matters of foreign policy. Discussions focused particularly on the delicate and evolving relationship with President Trump. The diplomat also elaborated on the proposed path forward with Iran, a subject of persistent global attention and negotiation, highlighting the complexities and challenges in navigating diplomatic ties in the current geopolitical climate.

Minneapolis Mourns Victims of Politically Motivated Attack

A somber private funeral was held in Minneapolis at the Basilica of St. Mary for former Minnesota political figures who tragically lost their lives. Former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were killed in what authorities have described as a politically motivated attack. The service was attended by notable figures, including former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris, underscoring the significance and impact of the loss. The individual accused in the attack is also facing charges related to the wounding of state senator John Hoffman and his wife, further highlighting the breadth of the violence associated with the incident.

Middle East Conflict: Funerals in Tehran, Strikes in Gaza

The Middle East continued to be a focal point of international concern following recent hostilities. In Tehran, hundreds of thousands of people gathered for a funeral procession. The massive turnout was to mourn top military commanders and nuclear scientists who were killed in the recent “12-day war with Israel”. Notably absent from the funeral was Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Simultaneously, violence persisted elsewhere in the region, with Israeli air strikes in Gaza killing at least 62 people overnight. These strikes targeted sites in both Khan Younis and Gaza City, compounding the humanitarian crisis and further escalating tensions in the area.

The events of June 28, 2025, underscore a day marked by significant political shifts, diplomatic challenges, and the grim reality of ongoing conflicts and their devastating human cost, both domestically and internationally.