WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 1, 2025) — In a significant restructuring effort, the Trump administration has initiated mass layoffs at multiple U.S. health agencies, impacting an estimated 10,000 employees. The cuts, confirmed by sources familiar with the matter, began Tuesday and affected agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The layoffs are part of a broader strategy by President Donald Trump and his business ally, billionaire Elon Musk, aimed at reducing the size of the federal government and cutting spending. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. defended the layoffs, describing them as necessary to streamline a bloated bureaucracy. However, the decision has raised alarms, particularly with the loss of top scientists and leaders involved in public health, cancer research, and vaccine and drug approvals. Critics worry that the restructuring could hinder the U.S. response to ongoing health crises, such as the measles outbreak and the spreading bird flu.
Notable Departures and Impact on Key Agencies
The FDA, widely regarded as the world’s premier drug regulatory agency, has seen several high-profile resignations and dismissals. Peter Stein, the director of the FDA’s Office of New Drugs, resigned on Tuesday after being informed of his impending termination. Meanwhile, Brian King, head of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products, was fired, as confirmed by an email King sent to staff. The dismissal followed the departure of Peter Marks, the FDA’s top vaccine official, known for his leadership during the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.
FDA staff members have reported significant disruptions in their work, with some struggling to meet deadlines. Former FDA Commissioner Robert Califf criticized the layoffs, warning in a LinkedIn post that the agency’s leadership changes could prove disastrous for public health. “The FDA as we’ve known it is finished,” Califf wrote. “History will see this as a huge mistake.”
Security Guards and Long Lines at HHS Offices
In Washington, D.C., employees were informed of their layoffs by security guards as they attempted to enter the Mary Switzer Building, which houses several HHS offices. One employee, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the scene: “Dozens of people have been RIF’d [reduction in force] this way so far,” referring to the government’s term for layoffs. Some employees, including a deaf individual, were informed through text messages on a guard’s phone.
At the FDA, workers were instructed to present their badges at the building entrance. Those who had been fired were given a ticket with instructions to return home and contact various departments to retrieve their personal belongings. One source confirmed that 17 employees from the FDA’s press office were among those let go, including the agency’s Chief Information Officer, Vid Desai.
Cuts at NIH and CDC
The layoffs extended to the NIH, where several employees were informed of their terminations early Tuesday. Jeanne Marrazzo, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), who succeeded Dr. Anthony Fauci, was among those let go, according to sources within the NIH.
The layoffs also affected the CDC, where several employees from departments such as the National Center for Environmental Health and the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases were dismissed. This included at least one individual involved in the federal response to the ongoing measles outbreak.
Kevin Griffis, former Director of Communications at the CDC, commented on the scale of the downsizing. “HHS touches the lives of just about every American, and a reorganization of this size would typically take months of planning,” he said.
The layoffs coincide with the first day on the job for new FDA Commissioner Marty Makary and NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya, both of whom were confirmed by the Senate just last week.
Widespread Disruptions and Concerns
In Bethesda, Maryland, a line of cars stretched down the roads leading to the NIH campus, as employees received word of their terminations. The impact of the layoffs is already being felt, with former agency leaders and health experts expressing concern about the future of public health oversight in the U.S.
Mitch Zeller, the former director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products, voiced concerns about the agency’s ability to regulate tobacco products in light of the cuts. “This makes it virtually impossible for CTP to regulate tobacco products effectively,” Zeller said.
At the same time, security at HHS offices in Rockville, Maryland, was overwhelmed by the influx of laid-off employees. Sources described long lines stretching from the building’s entrance to the parking lot, with only two security guards on hand to screen those attempting to enter.
The layoffs, which have raised significant concerns among public health experts, are expected to reshape the landscape of U.S. health agencies for the foreseeable future.
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