Ron Johnson Threatens Subpoena for COVID-19 Vaccine Data

U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) has issued a stark ultimatum to three federal health agencies, demanding the release of unredacted data on the development, safety, and potential adverse effects of the COVID-19 vaccines. If the agencies fail to comply by December 3, Johnson has threatened to use his subpoena power once he assumes the chairmanship of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.

In a letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Johnson accused the agencies of obstructing congressional oversight by withholding critical information. “Your agencies’ refusal to provide complete and unredacted responses has hindered oversight and jeopardized public health,” Johnson wrote.

Johnson’s letter highlights his ongoing frustration with what he calls “excessive redactions” in the records provided to Congress. He pointed specifically to a 14-page document showing former CDC Director Rochelle Walensky receiving data on myocarditis cases linked to the Pfizer vaccine. The document, however, was almost entirely blacked out except for its cover page.

Another heavily redacted set of emails appears to reveal internal discussions at the CDC about issuing a Health Alert Network (HAN) message to the public regarding the risks of myocarditis and pericarditis linked to the Pfizer vaccine. Johnson has repeatedly pressed the CDC to explain why the alert was never sent.

Additionally, Johnson is demanding access to a 17-page document of COVID-19 talking points shared between the Biden White House and top public health officials, which remains fully redacted.

“What is clear from these excessive redactions is a concerted effort to obscure Congress’ and the public’s understanding of your agencies’ detection of and response to COVID-19 vaccine adverse events,” Johnson stated. He argued that the public was misled with “uniform and entirely deceptive” messaging that the vaccines were unequivocally “safe and effective.”

Johnson has been a vocal critic of the federal government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past two years, he has sent more than 60 public letters to federal agencies regarding the origins of the virus, its treatments, and vaccine safety. His latest demand for transparency comes as Republicans prepare to take control of the House in the upcoming Congress, bolstering his party’s ability to pursue aggressive oversight.

In January, Johnson will regain a leadership role on the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, positioning him to issue subpoenas if agencies continue to withhold information. “Your obstruction will soon come to an end,” Johnson warned in his letter.

Central to Johnson’s demands is the need for clearer data on the risks of myocarditis and pericarditis, rare but serious heart conditions linked to mRNA vaccines like Pfizer’s. The CDC and other public health agencies have acknowledged these risks, particularly in young males, but maintain that the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks.

Johnson and other critics argue that public health messaging failed to adequately address these concerns. The senator also pointed to a recent GOP-led House Energy and Commerce Committee report, which revealed that the Biden administration spent $900 million on what it described as “faulty health messaging” about COVID-19 and the vaccines.

The report alleges that federal agencies prioritized public relations over transparency, leaving Americans in the dark about critical safety concerns.

Johnson’s push for transparency comes at a time of increasing public skepticism about federal health agencies. Critics say the lack of clear, accessible data has fueled vaccine hesitancy and undermined trust in public health institutions.

“If public health officials had been upfront about the risks and benefits of these vaccines, we wouldn’t be in this position,” Johnson argued during a recent interview.

The controversy also underscores broader debates about government accountability during the pandemic. While some see Johnson’s efforts as a necessary push for transparency, others accuse him of amplifying vaccine fears and undermining public confidence in lifesaving medical interventions.

As the December 3 deadline approaches, the CDC, FDA, and HHS have yet to publicly respond to Johnson’s demands. With the GOP set to control key committees in Congress, the Biden administration may face intensified scrutiny over its handling of COVID-19 policies.

For Johnson, the issue extends beyond politics. “This isn’t about Republicans or Democrats,” he said. “This is abo.ut ensuring the American people get the truth about these vaccines and their risks.”

Whether the agencies comply voluntarily or through a subpoena, Johnson’s fight for unredacted COVID-19 vaccine data is likely to be a defining battle in the new Congress.