DEVELOPING: HHS Removes Transgender Health Leader's Name from Official Portrait Amid Controversy

Breaking News: HHS Removes Transgender Health Leader's Name from Official Portrait Amid Controversy The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has removed the name of Admiral Rachel L. Levine, a transgender health leader, from her official portrait on the seventh floor of the Humphrey Building in Washington, D.C. The change was made during the government shutdown, with the portrait now displaying her previous name. The alteration of Levine's portrait has sparked controversy, as she was the first transgender person to win Senate confirmation and served as President Biden's assistant secretary for health for four years. Levine's role was a four-star admiral position in charge of the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service. Levine's official portrait was displayed in the hallway since her confirmation in 2021, and her removal from the portrait is seen as a significant setback for the LGBTQ+ community. The move has raised questions about the motivations behind the change and the impact on the community. This is a developing story, and we will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. The HHS has not commented on the reason behind the change, and it is unclear what the next steps will be.