Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Saturday that the Justice Department is dropping all federal charges against Dr. Michael Kirk Moore Jr., a Utah plastic surgeon accused of orchestrating a fraudulent COVID-19 vaccine scheme that involved administering saline shots to children and distributing fake vaccination records.
Why It Matters
The decision marks a sharp policy shift under President Donald Trump’s administration, signaling a retreat from aggressive enforcement of pandemic-related health mandates. It also underscores the administration’s alignment with vaccine-skeptic sentiment and raises questions about political influence in prosecutorial decisions—particularly following Bondi’s recent purge of officials tied to investigations involving Trump.
The Case
Moore, 58, was indicted in January 2023 along with his clinic, the Plastic Surgery Institute of Utah, and three co-defendants: Kari Dee Burgoyne, Kristin Jackson Andersen, and Sandra Flores. Prosecutors alleged the group conspired to destroy over $28,000 worth of federally supplied COVID-19 vaccines and issue nearly 2,000 fake vaccination cards in exchange for cash or charitable “donations.”
According to the indictment, some children were injected with saline instead of an actual vaccine, giving families the appearance of compliance while undermining public health efforts. The defendants faced charges including conspiracy to defraud the United States and conversion of government property, carrying a maximum sentence of 35 years.
The trial began last week in Salt Lake City but was abruptly halted after Acting U.S. Attorney Felice John Viti filed a motion to dismiss the case, citing the “interests of justice.”
Bondi’s Justification
Bondi defended the decision on social media, saying Moore “gave his patients a choice when the federal government refused to do so.” She added, “He did not deserve the years in prison he was facing. It ends today.”
Bondi also praised Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) for her advocacy in the case, saying Greene was instrumental in bringing it to her attention: “She has been a warrior for Dr. Moore and for ending the weaponization of government.”
Support and Backlash
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent vaccine skeptic, has backed Moore publicly, tweeting in April: “Dr. Moore deserves a medal for his courage and his commitment to healing!”
Greene echoed that sentiment on Saturday, calling Moore a “hero” and writing: “We can never again allow our government to turn tyrannical under our watch.”
But public health officials previously involved in the case warned of the consequences. In 2023, HHS Inspector General Special Agent Curt L. Muller said Moore’s alleged actions endangered “a vulnerable population” and “undermined public trust.” Homeland Security’s Chris Miller added that Moore had “falsified a sense of security” for patients, including children.
What Comes Next
With the charges dropped, Moore will no longer face federal prosecution—at least under the current DOJ leadership. However, the move is expected to set a precedent for how the Justice Department approaches other vaccine-related cases.
The dismissal also intensifies scrutiny of Bondi, who has faced criticism for politicizing the DOJ and targeting officials linked to prior Trump investigations. Critics argue her handling of the Moore case may be just the beginning of broader efforts to roll back pandemic-era enforcement policies.
For now, Bondi’s message is clear: under the Trump administration, COVID-era mandates are no longer a DOJ priority—and those who defied them may find allies in power.
