HHS Nameplate Sparks Outrage From Biden Official

Clear Facts

• The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) updated a nameplate for a top official to display the birth name Richard Levine instead of Rachel Levine.
• Levine and supporters labeled the change as “petty” and “bigotry,” while HHS defended the decision as aligning with scientific standards.
• Levine has received criticism for positions regarding transgender care for minors and for encouraging the restriction of opposing viewpoints.

On Tuesday, the Department of Health and Human Services publicly affirmed on X that the office updated Levine’s portrait plaque to show the name Richard Levine.

Can confirm! https://t.co/PdErnBJVqh pic.twitter.com/yuZGMfK6xw

— HHS (@HHSGov) December 9, 2025

Levine expressed frustration over the decision, describing it as “petty” and “bigotry.”

“I’m not going to comment on this type of petty action,” Levine told NPR.

Adrian Shanker, a spokesperson, commented, “During the federal shutdown, the current leadership of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health changed Admiral Levine’s photo to remove her current legal name and use a prior name,” and referred to the shift as “bigotry against her.”

HHS spokesman Andrew Nixon explained the change: “Our priority is ensuring that the information presented internally and externally by HHS reflects gold standard science.”

“We remain committed to reversing harmful policies enacted by Levine and ensuring that biological reality guides our approach to public health.”

Levine has previously claimed the title of “first female four-star officer” while discussing “diversity” in an official HHS video.

He has faced criticism for supporting transgender “care” for minors, a practice many opponents stress is irreversible and harmful to children.

In a 2022 presentation, Levine called for more aggressive action against what was described as “misinformation” on gender-affirming procedures.

“There is substantial misinformation about gender-affirming care for transgender and gender-diverse individuals,” Levine stated.

Levine continued, “We need to get our voices in the public eye, and we know how effective our medical community can be talking to communities, whether it’s at town halls, schools, conversations with others, and we need to use our clinicians’ voice to collectively advocate for our tech companies to create a healthier, cleaner information environment.”

Stay informed as this issue continues to generate national debate over government policy, science, and parental rights.

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