HHS follows FDA, replacing political communications leader with career staff

Following public disclosures that he had promoted conspiracy theories and accused CDC staff of plotting sedition, HHS announced Wednesday that its assistant secretary for public affairs, Michael Caputo, was taking a 60-day leave of absence “to focus on his health and the well-being of his family.”

Ryan Murphy, principal deputy assistant secretary for public affairs, will lead the agency’s communications operations. Murphy joined HHS as acting assistant secretary for public affairs in October 2019 and was replaced by Caputo in April. Prior to joining HHS, Murphy served as a communications director for members of Congress for 15 years. ...