Bondi Overrules DOJ, Drops Charges in Fake Vaccine Card Case

The Trump administration had initially reviewed a criminal case against a Utah doctor, Dr. Michael Kirk Moore, who was accused of selling fake Covid vaccination cards. The administration allowed the case to proceed before Attorney General Pam Bondi intervened and ordered its dismissal. This information comes from Moore's defense attorney.

Dr. Moore was on trial last week, facing charges related to an alleged scheme involving the issuance of fake vaccine cards. The charges stemmed from claims that over $28,000 worth of Covid-19 vaccinations were destroyed. Moore was indicted on these charges in 2023.

Bondi announced her decision to dismiss the charges against Moore on the social media platform X. She stated that the doctor "gave his patients a choice when the federal government refused to do so." Bondi also acknowledged the assistance of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Sen. Mike Lee.

Moore's attorney, Kathy Nester, had previously submitted information about the case to Justice Department leadership earlier this year. This was done after Bondi announced the formation of a "Weaponization Working Group" to investigate claims of federal law enforcement being used against Trump allies and advocates. Nester sought any possible avenue to help her client.

Nester submitted the case to the Justice Department group in April, requesting a review. She was informed by a counsel for the office of Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche that they would not intervene to end the prosecution. Nester then prepared for trial, ceasing any further political efforts.

Bondi's decision to dismiss the case occurred amid criticism from Trump supporters regarding the Justice Department's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case. It is uncertain if there will be further consequences from the Moore case. Acting U.S. Attorney Felice John Viti signed the paperwork for the dismissal, while other career prosecutors involved in the case did not.

Prior to the dismissal, Bondi had dismissed several Justice Department employees who had worked with former Special Counsel Jack Smith on investigations into Trump. These investigations concerned Trump's handling of classified documents and his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.