Mass Layoffs Begin at HHS, CDC Affects 10,400 Jobs

The Trump administration has begun implementing significant layoffs at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), with up to 10,000 positions expected to be cut, including around 2,400 at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These layoffs coincide with President Trump's recent move to strip collective bargaining rights from HHS employees, raising concerns about the impact on public health and research. The cuts primarily affect staff involved in critical health communication and disease prevention efforts, as well as those at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Employees reported being dismissed unceremoniously, with terminated staff required to show badges and receive tickets to leave. Critics argue that these reductions could severely damage the nation's ability to address health crises and infectious diseases. The administration has justified the layoffs as a necessary effort to eliminate waste and streamline operations within federal health agencies.