In a dramatic shakeup, the Trump administration has initiated mass layoffs at key U.S. health agencies, affecting an estimated 10,000 staffers. The move, which targets agencies under the Department of Health and Human Services, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is part of a broader plan to streamline what some officials call a bloated bureaucracy.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. defended the cuts as necessary to refocus the agency's efforts on its core mission of preventing chronic disease. However, the sweeping reductions have also cut out leading scientists and experienced professionals who played pivotal roles in public health, vaccine and drug approvals, as well as in cancer and infectious disease research.
Among the notable departures were Peter Stein, director of the FDA's Office of New Drugs, who resigned under pressure, and Brian King, head of the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products, who was dismissed via an internal email. Former top officials have warned that the loss of institutional knowledge could undermine the agencies' abilities to respond to emergencies such as measles outbreaks and evolving public health crises.
Eyewitnesses at HHS office entrances in Washington described scenes of confusion and disbelief. Staffers, including those in press offices, were met by security guards who informed them of their termination. Many received tickets listing multiple departmental contacts to retrieve essential equipment, while some experienced prolonged lines and uncertainty at key entry points.
The layoffs extend beyond the FDA. At the NIH, long lines of vehicles and delayed entry underscored the chaos as employees were informed early in the day. A high-profile case involved Jeanne Marrazzo from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, who was reportedly let go and offered a position with the Indian Health Service.
With new leaders recently confirmed at the FDA and NIH, the administration faces critical questions about whether such significant cuts will lead to a leaner, more efficient system or leave the U.S. unprepared for future public health emergencies.
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Trump begins mass layoffs at FDA, CDC, other U.S. health agencies
cgtn.com
