Trump Administration Lays Off FDA Staff Amid Major Workforce Cuts

The Trump administration's recent federal job cuts have significantly impacted the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), leading to the termination of probationary employees in vital areas such as food safety, medical devices, and tobacco regulation. While the total number of layoffs remains unclear, sources indicate that around 5,200 positions are expected to be cut across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including nearly 1,300 at the CDC. The firings have raised concerns about regulatory oversight and the potential risks to public health, particularly as the FDA already struggles with staff shortages and an inspection backlog. Notably, the layoffs have affected staff with expertise in AI and digital health, raising alarms about the regulation of these rapidly advancing technologies. Critics, including former FDA officials and industry representatives, warn that these cuts could undermine the FDA's ability to oversee new medical technologies, which are crucial for patient safety. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been vocal about reforming the FDA, but the implications of these staff reductions could hinder those efforts.