Bri McNulty Rejects CDC Job After Sudden Layoff and Rehire

Bri McNulty Faces a Sudden Job Loss and an Unexpected Offer to Return

Well, darlings, let me tell you about a career twist that would leave anyone dizzy. Bri McNulty thought she had landed her dream job. She worked for the CDC, handling public health outreach in Iowa. Bri loved the work. She believed in it. Then, in mid-February, she opened her email and saw the news no one wants to get. She was out of a job. No warning. No personal call. Just a cold, impersonal email telling her it was over.

Days later, another shocking email arrived. The CDC offered her job back. No explanation. No apology, except for a brief and unimpressive “sorry for the inconvenience.” Just like that, she was supposed to pretend nothing happened. But, honey, Bri wasn’t about to be played like that.

Bri McNulty Moves Forward Instead of Returning to the CDC After Layoff

Bri didn’t waste time feeling sorry for herself. She knew she had to act fast. Bri reached out to a former employer at Penn State. She quickly secured a new job. Bri signed a lease for a new apartment. She was ready to move on.

Then, just as she was about to mail back her CDC laptop, she decided to check her email one last time. That’s when she saw it. “Read this email immediately,” the subject line read. She opened it. Bri stared at the words. She couldn’t believe it. After firing her without warning, the CDC now wanted her back.

Bri McNulty Says Her CDC Job Felt Like a “Bad Romance” Gone Wrong

Bri had always dreamed of working in public health. The CDC was the big goal. She had been inspired by movies like Contagion. The pandemic only strengthened her passion. When she landed the job, she thought she had made it. Then, overnight, it all fell apart.

Now, she compares her relationship with the CDC to a toxic romance. One moment, they wanted her. The next, they dumped her without warning. And then, like a bad ex, they came crawling back. She wasn’t falling for it again. Bri made her choice. She walked away.

Bri McNulty and Iowa Public Health Leaders Left Without Answers

Bri wasn’t the only one blindsided. Her boss, Kelly Wells Sittig, never got a call about rehiring her. The CDC kept local leaders in the dark. No one knew who was staying and who was going.

And it’s not just Bri’s job. Public health programs across the country are struggling. Funding keeps getting slashed. People don’t know what to expect. Everyone is waiting for the next big cut. It’s a mess.

Bri McNulty Rejects CDC Offer as Trump Administration Cuts Jobs

On Thursday, President Trump spoke about the job cuts. He said Cabinet members now have more control over who stays and who goes. He called it a scalpel approach instead of a hatchet job. Some folks think that’s a better strategy. Others aren’t convinced. One thing is clear—this isn’t over.