Trump Administration Issues Significant Cuts, Thousands Face Layoffs at Key Health Agencies
3 April 2025 路 Uncategorized 路
According to multiple sources, today marks the beginning of large-scale layoffs at U.S. health agencies under President Donald Trump's administration. Over ten thousand employees have received layoff notices, with some being barred from entering certain facilities shortly after.
Reuters reports that this round of cuts targets several high-profile institutions within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and National Institutes of Health. This is part of a broader plan by President Trump to streamline federal government operations and reduce spending.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., stated that these layoffs, combined with recent departures, have reduced HHS's workforce from 82,000 down to around 62,000 employees. He emphasized this as crucial step towards reducing bureaucratic bloat but acknowledged the concerns about future health emergencies.
Among those laid off are top scientists responsible for public health oversight and research in areas such as cancer, vaccines, drugs, and disease control鈥攔aising significant concerns about America's ability to handle ongoing health crises like measles outbreaks or avian flu spread. Kennedy tweeted: "We sympathize with our colleagues who have lost their jobs but reality is clear: what we've been doing isn't working." He added that these changes are necessary for HHS to focus on its core mission of preventing chronic diseases.
This difficult moment at the Department of Health and Human Services affects many employees. Secretary Kennedy stated, "Our hearts go out to those who have lost their jobs but reality is clear: what we've been doing isn't working." Despite spending $1.9 trillion annually, Americans are getting sicker each year. In the past four years...
The FDA, recognized globally as one of the top drug regulatory bodies, has seen key figures depart including Peter Stein from his position at Office of New Drugs within Center for Drug Evaluation and Research upon facing termination. Brian King, head of Tobacco Products Center also received a letter informing him he was fired.
Former Commissioner Robert Califf wrote on LinkedIn: "The FDA as we know it is over; most leaders with institutional knowledge about product development and safety are no longer employed."
In Washington DC's Mary Switzer Building housing several HHS offices and departments, security personnel informed employees they had been laid off upon presenting their ID at the entrance. One employee reported that dozens were being notified this way including a deaf individual who was communicated to via text on his phone.
Employees lined up for hours not knowing what would happen when it was their turn with some receiving vouchers directing them home and instructions to call certain departments listed on the voucher to retrieve necessary equipment.
(Translator notes: The translation includes context about significant layoffs within key U.S. health agencies which could affect public health oversight and research capabilities significantly.)
Reuters reports that this round of cuts targets several high-profile institutions within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and National Institutes of Health. This is part of a broader plan by President Trump to streamline federal government operations and reduce spending.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., stated that these layoffs, combined with recent departures, have reduced HHS's workforce from 82,000 down to around 62,000 employees. He emphasized this as crucial step towards reducing bureaucratic bloat but acknowledged the concerns about future health emergencies.
Among those laid off are top scientists responsible for public health oversight and research in areas such as cancer, vaccines, drugs, and disease control鈥攔aising significant concerns about America's ability to handle ongoing health crises like measles outbreaks or avian flu spread. Kennedy tweeted: "We sympathize with our colleagues who have lost their jobs but reality is clear: what we've been doing isn't working." He added that these changes are necessary for HHS to focus on its core mission of preventing chronic diseases.
This difficult moment at the Department of Health and Human Services affects many employees. Secretary Kennedy stated, "Our hearts go out to those who have lost their jobs but reality is clear: what we've been doing isn't working." Despite spending $1.9 trillion annually, Americans are getting sicker each year. In the past four years...
The FDA, recognized globally as one of the top drug regulatory bodies, has seen key figures depart including Peter Stein from his position at Office of New Drugs within Center for Drug Evaluation and Research upon facing termination. Brian King, head of Tobacco Products Center also received a letter informing him he was fired.
Former Commissioner Robert Califf wrote on LinkedIn: "The FDA as we know it is over; most leaders with institutional knowledge about product development and safety are no longer employed."
In Washington DC's Mary Switzer Building housing several HHS offices and departments, security personnel informed employees they had been laid off upon presenting their ID at the entrance. One employee reported that dozens were being notified this way including a deaf individual who was communicated to via text on his phone.
Employees lined up for hours not knowing what would happen when it was their turn with some receiving vouchers directing them home and instructions to call certain departments listed on the voucher to retrieve necessary equipment.
(Translator notes: The translation includes context about significant layoffs within key U.S. health agencies which could affect public health oversight and research capabilities significantly.)