Eithan Haim was a general surgeon at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, Texas, the largest children’s hospital in the world. Eithan discovered that TCH was lying to the public about the existence of their children’s transgender program. Eithan became an anonymous whistleblower when Christopher Rufo released Eithan’s story about TCH’s behavior. In part, due to the story’s release, the very next day the Texas Legislature voted to ban transgender medical interventions on minors.
A month later, two federal agents showed up at Eithan’s apartment. After Eithan declined to be interviewed without an attorney present, the agents gave Eithan a target letter signed by a federal prosecutor stating that Eithan was being investigated for a case regarding “medical records”. No laws had been violated, since no personally identifiable patient health information was released. Therefore, this letter appeared to be an attempt at political intimidation. Eithan however, was not silenced. He continued to tell the story publicly to help protect children from this illegal, dangerous and life destroying medical practice.
In June, 2024 three heavily armed U.S. Marshals came to Eithan’s door to inform him he had been indicted on four felony charges. Though Eithan faced the risk of spending years in prison, he did not back down. Many others would have been, and were, intimidated into remaining silent. Eithan did not remain silent and his professional and personal life were turned upside down in his fight to do what was right for children.
Finally, the Department of Justice in the new Trump Administration on January 24, 2025 did what was right. They submitted a motion to dismiss the case with prejudice and it was approved by Judge Hittner.
Even though the legal case against Eithan is technically over, the battle is not, as Eithan testified before Congress’ hearing, “Ending Lawfare Against Whistleblowers Who Protect Children”, in April, 2025.
