Trump Removes Gun Violence Warning – Experts Call It a Public Health Crisis
By erasing a public health advisory, Trump is ignoring America’s gun violence epidemic. This is part of a larger GOP war on science and safety.
In yet another brazen attempt to undermine public safety, Donald Trump has signed an executive order prioritizing gun industry profits over American lives. The order has led to the removal of a critical public health advisory on gun violence from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) website—a move that public health experts warn could have devastating consequences.
Trump’s War on Facts: Erasing Gun Violence Data
The removed advisory, issued in June 2024 by former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, formally declared gun violence a public health crisis—a fact backed by data and decades of research. Among its key findings:
Firearms are now the leading cause of death for children and adolescents in the U.S., responsible for approximately 45,738 deaths annually.
Common-sense, evidence-based policies, such as background checks, red flag laws, and secure storage mandates, have been shown to reduce gun deaths.
A public health approach to gun violence, similar to strategies used for smoking, car accidents, and opioids, is essential for preventing future tragedies.
Trump’s decision to erase this advisory is more than just a bureaucratic maneuver—it’s an attack on truth and science. It signals a clear message to the gun lobby: their interests come before the lives of American children.
The Executive Order: A Gift to the Gun Lobby
Under the misleading title "Protecting Second Amendment Rights," Trump’s executive order directs federal agencies to eliminate policies that “infringe” on gun rights. Within days, HHS quietly removed the advisory, an alarming indication of where the administration stands on gun violence prevention: they don’t care.
Legal experts warn that this could have catastrophic ripple effects:
Cutting research funding: Federal support for gun violence studies has already been restricted for decades under the NRA-backed Dickey Amendment. Trump’s move threatens the little progress made in restoring funding for life-saving research.
Weakening state-level safety laws: Conservative states could use this order as a pretext to roll back background checks and red flag laws, further fueling the gun crisis.
A chilling effect on public health policy: If the federal government no longer acknowledges gun violence as a public health issue, future legislative efforts to address it could stall.
See our reporting on the gun lobby here:
This Is Bigger Than Guns: The GOP’s War on Public Health
This isn’t just about gun violence. It’s part of a broader Republican war on public health, where science and safety are sacrificed for political ideology.
Rolling back reproductive rights – The same GOP that claims to be "pro-life" has gutted access to maternal care, contraception, and abortion services, endangering millions.
Ignoring climate change’s health effects – Trump and his allies have refused to acknowledge climate change as a public health crisis despite its role in worsening asthma, heat-related deaths, and natural disasters.
Attacking pandemic preparedness – From COVID-19 to future health crises, Republican leaders have repeatedly undermined funding for vaccines, emergency response, and public health agencies.
Trump’s move to erase gun violence as a public health issue isn’t an isolated incident; it’s part of a broader war on science and safety.
See our reporting on Trump’s health agencies here:
Public Health Experts Speak Out: “This Will Cost Lives”
The medical and public health communities are sounding the alarm. Dr. Lisa Brown, a trauma surgeon and spokesperson for the American Public Health Association, put it bluntly:
“We cannot ignore the fact that gun violence is a leading cause of preventable death in America. This decision puts ideology ahead of data and could cost lives.”
Daniel Semenza, a firearm violence researcher at Rutgers University, added:
“Framing gun violence as a public health issue removes the politics from the debate and allows us to focus on solutions. Removing this advisory is a dangerous step backward.”
Despite overwhelming evidence, the Trump administration continues to pander to gun manufacturers while dismissing the experiences of survivors, doctors, and communities shattered by gun violence.
The Political Fallout: A Defining Issue in 2026
With the 2026 midterm elections on the horizon, gun violence prevention is shaping up to be a significant campaign battleground.
Democrats are likely to seize on this moment, framing the removal of the advisory as yet another example of Trump putting special interests ahead of public safety.
Republicans will likely spin this as a “win for freedom,” despite the grim reality that more guns and fewer regulations mean more deaths.
Gun safety groups, including March for Our Lives and Everytown for Gun Safety, have already pledged to make this a defining issue at the ballot box.
What Happens Next Is Up to Us
The reality is simple: If we want public health policies that protect lives instead of gun industry profits, we need to show up at the polls.
Elect leaders who will restore a public health approach to gun violence.
Support candidates who prioritize facts, science, and evidence-based policies.
Fight for funding for research, prevention, and intervention programs.
Trump’s executive order isn’t just a policy change; it’s a blatant attack on public safety. What comes next could be even worse if we don’t push back now.
The stakes couldn’t be higher: Will we allow this rollback to stand, or will we fight for a future where our children are safe from gun violence?
One thing is sure: this isn’t just politics. This is life and death.
You power the Coffman Chronicle—no billionaires, no corporate overlords. Help us expose the BS, deliver sharp insights, and keep you informed.
You can fuel the fight and join the movement for just $8 a month or $80 a year.
Not ready to subscribe? No worries, chaos loves company, and you're always welcome.
Bibliography:
The Guardian. "White House Removes Advisory Defining Gun Violence as a Public Health Issue." March 17, 2025. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/17/trump-removes-gun-violence-public-health-advisory
Axios. "HHS Drops Surgeon General's Advisory on Gun Violence." March 18, 2025. https://www.axios.com/2025/03/18/hhs-removes-surgeon-general-gun-violence-memo
Politico. "Trump Removes Gun Violence Public Health Advisory." March 17, 2025. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/17/trump-gun-violence-public-health-advisory-00234171
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. "Public Health and Firearm Policy: The Evidence for Action." Center for Gun Violence Solutions, November 2024. https://publichealth.jhu.edu/gun-violence-solutions
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). "Fast Facts: Firearm Injury and Death." CDC, July 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/firearm-violence/data-research/facts-stats/index.html
New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). "Public Health Approach to the Prevention of Gun Violence." NEJM, April 2013. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMsb1302631
American Public Health Association (APHA). "Gun Violence." APHA, 2024. https://www.apha.org/topics-and-issues/gun-violence
NPR. "U.S. Surgeon General Declares Gun Violence a Public Health Crisis." NPR, June 25, 2024. https://www.npr.org/2024/06/25/nx-s1-5018625/surgeon-general-vivek-murthy-gun-violence-public-health-crisis
WTTW News. "Surgeon General’s Advisory Declaring Gun Violence a Public Health Crisis Removed From Website." WTTW News, March 18, 2025. https://news.wttw.com/2025/03/18/surgeon-general-s-advisory-declaring-gun-violence-public-health-crisis-removed-website
Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions. "U.S. Surgeon General's Declaration: Embracing The Center's Public Health Approach." Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, July 2, 2024. https://publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-gun-violence-solutions/2024/surgeon-general-embraces-our-public-health-approach
Donald Trump is a public health crisis -
Using rational thinking won't work 🤔. He's a narcissistic sociopath. Ex: If you have never been in a street fight, you have no idea what to do or how to fight!
He's doing this for a reason!
WHEN/If we rise up in the streets - he WILL declare martial law!
Also consider this - all the racist bigot in society who have been itching to kill people of color. He just gave them the go ahead to kill us! This includes the native indigenous!
All reminiscent of when this country was STOLEN from the native indigenous & African slavery. Seem familiar?
It doesn't matter how stupid he is. Someone diabolical created a plan in the making since 2017! They were stopped January 6 2021! They continued behind the scenes with cooperation from the ENTIRE republican party - phone calls and trips to florida!
Everything they are doing is letting you know who they really are. They are showing us in their townhalls. The plan is - we better believe them, they don't care how we feel, they plan to do it anyway, we don't matter. But the politicians who are people of color (blacks & Hispanics) are useful idiots because they need numbers. The moment they no longer need them, what do you think will happen? This regime has already showed they are not above making people disappear!
I put nothing pass them. I consider them capable of EVERYTHING including murder!
So think beyond rational thought with them. Ask "why" with every move they make. That's why we need to BOYCOTT and encourage as many "democratic" countries to do the same. And if need be, write the United Nation expressing the dangers in this country.
If he is considered a war criminal, a lot will happen from the outside.
You want to win? You want to end this?
▪︎We have to dig deep inside ourselves and get creative.
▪︎We have to form support in our communities - we lied to ourselves by saying we believe in them yet what have we done to forge them? Ex: Name 10 neighbors within 75ft. I have 8 neighbors and only know 2 by name and 1 by face. Sometimes, my neighbors roll out in the middle of the night. But I have tried. Ohio is NOT that friendly and highly racist.
▪︎We have to BOYCOTT the mega donors. Get a list. Shop DIY small business. Ex: No more Temu, Hobby Lobby, Chick-fil-A, Michael's, Target, etc. Shop used, donate direct to shelters. Others will re-sell. The IRS has been compromised, that goes for tax write offs. I trust NO organization while these people are in charge.
▪︎Start - herb gardens, storage bin gardens (fruit & vegetables), barter & trade, car pool, shop health stores and co-op organic food, share meals. Help elderly people.
▪︎Remove money from the bank. We no longer have precautions to keep interest low or dispute fee increases. If you see your bank do that, cash out!
Yes, we need to pay attention and keep records. But getting trying to rationalize a madman will drive you insane. They are irrational indecent human beings. Think of it this way, Felon47 is a drug addict and his enablers are his dealers. As long as he has access to supply, he will continue his drug enduced terrorism.
- Take away the dealers (mega donors) - BOYCOTT their business!
- Take away the dealers (politicians) - remove republican GOVERNORS through "special elections". Remember when California did that to Newsome in the middle of his term? 😉! If you're a republican, reach out to democrats in your area. You may not agree but then again, you may not even know what the democratic party actually stands for. Now is the time to find out.
- Tesla takedown. It's working. Join a peaceful protest.
The second Tesla drops below 220, musk has to payback billions he borrowed against his stock. Twitter has dropped to ¼ of its original value. Starlink is losing money because 3 countries have torn up contracts and their stock value is decreasing as well.
Boycotting the mega donors - they are losing money because of the tariff wars. Boycotting from within and they lose 2x's as much. They don't want to lose any money. They will turn on Felon47 and the republican party. They joined his regime to increase wealth and no taxes.
I have some experience with the narcissistic personality. If you take away what is important to them, they don't know what to do. They can't handle it. Hold them accountable through consequences and they are liked trapped animals, they would rather chew off their own foot than to be captured. They need attention like we need air to breathe. Nero, Hitler, Stalin, Ide Ahmiene, etc. Narcissist, sociopaths all taken down and they were just as bad as Felon47 regime.
We can do it if we work together. 💪🏾 🫱🏻🫲🏾✊🏾💙