HHS cuts nearly 5,200 probationary jobs nationwide

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is set to terminate the employment of approximately 5,200 probationary employees as part of a restructuring effort under the Trump administration. This includes nearly 1,300 employees from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which accounts for about 10% of the agency's workforce. The decision, communicated in a meeting with CDC leaders, is intended to streamline operations and save taxpayer dollars, with some affected employees receiving four weeks of paid administrative leave. According to HHS communications director Andrew Nixon, the agency is following the President's guidance to ensure more efficient service to the public. The layoffs come shortly after Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. was confirmed as HHS secretary, although it remains unclear what influence he had on this decision. The cuts are projected to save around $600 million annually.