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# Hahn Removes New Press Head After Controversial Remarks
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/hahn-removes-new-press-head-after-controversial-remarks/
- Published: 2020-08-28T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T16:26:57.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: Drugs, #legacy-id-D5147542

FDA commissioner **Stephen Hahn** has removed newly appointed chief spokeswoman **Emily Miller** in the wake of his [controversial remarks](https://www.fdaweb.com/hahn-has-mea-culpa-moment-on-plasma-therapy-data/) exaggerating the efficacy of convalescent plasma for Covid-19 he made at an 8/23 White House press conference. Miller was installed at FDA by the White House less than two weeks ago and she immediately began drawing attention after the press conference ([see earlier story](https://www.fdaweb.com/who-is-helping-hahn-with-communication-efforts/)), including her limited understanding of science and health issues. She is a former reporter for right-wing cable network One America News and a huge supporter of president Trump. No reason was given for Miller’s removal and Hahn says he will soon name an interim replacement.

In what HHS describes as a coincidence, public relations consultant and former FDA associate commissioner for public affairs **Wayne Pines** had his consulting contract with the Department abruptly terminated. Pines had advised Hahn to correct misleading comments about the benefits of blood plasma for Covid-19, according to a *New York Times* [report](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/28/health/blood-plasma-fda.html?ref=fdaweb.com). “I did recommend that he correct the record,” Pines said, adding that he wasn’t told why his contract was severed. “If a federal official doesn’t say something right, and chooses to clarify and say that the criticism is justified, that’s refreshing,” he said.

Pines currently is president of APCO Worldwide, a public relations and lobbying firm that [represents health companies](https://apcoworldwide.com/sectors/health/?ref=fdaweb.com) that do business before the agency. Pines told the *Times* that his HHS consulting gig was on his own time and outside APCO’s practice, noting that as a friend he is willing to continue advising Hahn for free.