On his first day as the Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Trump, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made waves by slashing staffing at the CDC. His drastic decision aligns with Trump’s broader plan to reduce bloated government bureaucracies. It was clear: RFK Jr. wasn’t holding back.
Major layoffs hit the CDC
Nearly half of the CDC‘s prestigious “disease detectives” were fired in a brutal culling. These experts, known for investigating outbreaks both in the U.S. and abroad, hold advanced degrees and are seen as some of the best in the field. The layoffs affected the entire class of Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) recruits, roughly 1,300 staff members.
Trump’s plan: Cut the fat
Trump and Elon Musk have promised to clean up government waste. With Musk leading the Department of Government Efficiency, the plan is clear: trim the fat. Kennedy’s cuts are just the beginning. The CDC, NIH, and other agencies are in the crosshairs for cuts aimed at probationary staff.
RFK Jr.’s message: Public health comes first
Kennedy made it clear to his team: if you care about public health, you’re safe. However, if you’re aligned with the pharmaceutical industry, it’s time to go. He warned that probationary employees, who are easier to let go, would feel the brunt of these cuts. Around 1,270 out of 2,800 probationary staff members were sent packing, making up nearly half of the probationary workforce.
Thousands affected across multiple agencies
The layoffs reached beyond the CDC. A total of 5,200 probationary workers across various health agencies, including the FDA and the Indian Health Service, were expected to be let go. Notices started pouring in, telling workers their skills no longer aligned with agency needs.
For many young staff members, this was a nightmare. After completing their training programs, they landed jobs at top health agencies. Now, those dreams were crushed. Insiders say the decision came from outside the agencies, with Trump-appointed officials making the final call.
Contractors were not spared. Many were told they were being terminated “for convenience.” RFK Jr. had hinted at such cuts earlier in the week, claiming he had a “generic list” of employees he planned to let go.
CDC and FDA hit hard
By Sunday afternoon, about 700 people at the CDC had received termination notices. The FDA, despite earlier reports it would be exempt, also faced cuts. New employees who reviewed the safety of food, drugs, and medical devices were affected.
RFK Jr. vs. the FDA
Kennedy has been a vocal critic of the FDA, accusing the agency of harming public health by not approving alternative treatments. He has called for a shakeup at the FDA, claiming certain departments, like nutrition, aren’t doing their jobs.
Trump’s health vision: A radical shift
Trump’s appointment of RFK Jr. was a bold move. Known for his controversial stances on vaccines and public health, Kennedy promised to put America’s health first. He emphasized that people should have the freedom to make their own health choices, including vaccines and food.
A promise to protect consumer choice
Kennedy vowed to protect people’s right to eat what they want, even if it’s unhealthy. He also pushed for changes in the fast food industry, advocating for healthier practices without limiting consumer choices. For Kennedy, it’s all about finding a balance between freedom and health.
With one swift action, RFK Jr. has set the tone for his tenure as health chief. His cuts at the CDC and FDA are just the start of what looks to be a radical overhaul of America’s health agencies. While controversial, these moves align with his mandate to shake up the system and put public health first. Time will tell what other changes are in store as Kennedy makes his mark.
