RFK Jr. & Trump: Federal Health Worker Cuts – ProPublica
A Silent Erosion of Public Health: Deep Cuts Threaten America’s Safety Net
Table of Contents
Published August 21, 2025, at 5:04 PM EDT
The Scale of the Cuts
A concerning trend is unfolding within key U.S. health agencies: a significant and accelerating reduction in staffing. An analysis reveals that these cuts are far more extensive than publicly acknowledged, with the actual number of affected workers likely in the thousands when factoring in those on administrative leave awaiting layoff notices according too Government Executive. This isn’t a targeted restructuring; it’s a broad dismantling of expertise across the board.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), responsible for protecting the nation from health threats, has lost 15% of its workforce. The National Institutes of Health (NIH), the world’s largest public funder of biomedical research,has seen a 16% decrease in personnel. Perhaps most alarmingly, the Food and Drug Governance (FDA), which safeguards the safety of everything from infant formula to life-saving medications, has experienced a 21% reduction in staff.
| Agency | Staff Reduction |
|---|---|
| Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) | 15% |
| National Institutes of Health (NIH) | 16% |
| Food and drug Administration (FDA) | 21% |
A Brain Drain at the Core
These aren’t simply numbers on a spreadsheet. Thousands of experienced employees have been laid off, accepted buyouts, or retired early, creating a “brain drain” that is crippling these agencies. the loss extends to senior leaders who spearheaded critical initiatives, including the remarkably swift advancement and rollout of COVID-19 vaccines. This institutional knowledge is irreplaceable.
The cuts appear to contradict stated administration priorities. For example, the current Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, who has previously expressed skepticism about vaccine safety, has reportedly overseen the removal of numerous regulators dedicated to ensuring vaccine safety. Together, while promoting a new focus on chronic disease, a dedicated center focused on that very issue has been significantly downsized.
Consequences for Public Health
Agency leaders and staff, many speaking anonymously due to fear of reprisal, warn of dire consequences. Reduced staffing will inevitably lead to fewer clinical trials and research studies, less frequent and thorough inspections of critical facilities like egg farms and foreign drug manufacturing plants,and a diminished capacity to respond effectively to future outbreaks of infectious diseases. the potential for preventable illnesses and compromised public safety is substantial.
Official Response and Concerns
HHS has not disputed the findings of the analysis, but has offered a defense, stating that the cuts target “bloated bureaucracies” and aim to redirect resources toward “science that delivers measurable impact.” A spokesperson characterized concerns about weakening public health as “dishonest.”
Though, former Health Secretary Xavier Becerra, who served until earlier this year, strongly disagrees. He called the cuts “reckless,” emphasizing that “public health isn’t a luxury-it’s a core function of government.” Becerra warned that “this hollowing out of expertise could leave us dangerously exposed,” adding that rebuilding a skilled and trusted public health workforce is a long and arduous undertaking.
It takes years to build a professional workforce with the technical knowledge and public trust these roles require. Once you lose that, it’s not easy to get back.
Xavier becerra, former U.S. Health Secretary