CDC Faces Mass Layoffs Amid Ongoing Government Shutdown

The recent mass layoffs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have resulted in significant personnel losses, particularly impacting key offices dedicated to injury prevention and disease surveillance. On Friday, the White House initiated the termination of between 1,100 and 1,200 employees across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), with a substantial number expected to come from the CDC, though exact figures have yet to be confirmed.

According to sources familiar with the situation, the layoffs have severely affected crucial CDC departments, including the offices responsible for public health data and respiratory disease surveillance. Reports indicate that the CDC’s Washington, D.C. office has lost all its personnel, and numerous staff members from various centers, including the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, have been let go.

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) has condemned the firings, stating that it plans to file a lawsuit in response to what it describes as unlawful dismissals of federal workers. The union previously challenged similar terminations and has expressed strong opposition to the current cuts.

A high-ranking CDC official, who requested anonymity due to ongoing connections within the agency, characterized the layoffs as a targeted dismantling of the CDC’s leadership. “It’s a massacre,” the official stated, emphasizing that the actions taken by the executive branch are not merely administrative but rather a strategic move to undermine the agency’s effectiveness.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has remained largely silent regarding the firings, while department spokesperson Andrew Nixon attributed the layoffs to the classification of affected employees as “non-essential.” This rationale has prompted strong backlash from those within the CDC who have dedicated years to public health efforts.

The impact of these layoffs extends beyond mere job losses. Nearly the entire team behind the CDC’s flagship publication, the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, has been affected. This report serves as a primary source of information regarding disease outbreaks in the United States and addresses various public health issues, including drug overdoses and infectious diseases.

In addition, significant cuts were reported among members of the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) and the Laboratory Leadership Service, programs that are vital for rapid outbreak response and laboratory management. While some individuals within the U.S. Public Health Service were spared, the future of these programs remains uncertain.

The situation is particularly distressing for those who have contributed to public health initiatives, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. One now-terminated official lamented the dismantling of a system built to protect public health, describing the layoffs as a betrayal of the American people’s trust.

The CDC has faced scrutiny throughout the year, with earlier cuts resulting in the loss of approximately 2,400 staff members, or 18% of its workforce. In April, the administration initiated reductions in force aimed at streamlining federal operations. The current layoffs, coming during a government shutdown that has extended into its third week, have been framed by President Trump as a necessary response to congressional inaction, placing the blame squarely on Democratic lawmakers.

As the situation evolves, former CDC staff members are calling on Congress to exert its authority to address what they view as an abuse of executive power. “They’re fighting back — through lawful means, through solidarity, and through truth-telling,” one official remarked, highlighting the determination of current staff to advocate for the integrity of public health services.

With the ongoing disruptions at the CDC, the implications for public health initiatives in the United States remain significant. The agency has been a critical player in managing health crises, and the ramifications of these layoffs could impact its ability to respond effectively to future challenges.