CDC Faces Mass Layoffs Amid Ongoing Government Shutdown

The White House’s recent decision to terminate staff at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has led to significant disruptions within the agency. On March 15, 2024, the government announced layoffs affecting offices focused on injury prevention, respiratory disease surveillance, and chronic disease management. Estimates suggest that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) may cut between **1,100 and 1,200 employees**, although the exact number of CDC layoffs remains unclear.

The CDC has been particularly impacted, with reports indicating that nearly all personnel from its Washington, D.C. office were among those terminated. Additionally, staff from various critical divisions—including the Office of Public Health Data, Surveillance and Technology and the Office of Science—were let go. The layoffs have raised concerns about the agency’s ability to respond effectively to public health crises, especially as the nation grapples with ongoing health challenges.

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) has voiced strong opposition to the firings, announcing plans to file a lawsuit in response to the mass layoffs. The union has previously challenged similar actions against federal workers, highlighting concerns over the legality and ethics of these terminations. AFGE representatives did not respond to requests for further comment over the weekend.

According to sources familiar with the situation, the layoffs are part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration, which has expressed intentions to scale back federal employment during the ongoing government shutdown, now in its third week. President Trump has attributed the shutdown to congressional Democrats, asserting that these cuts would primarily affect “Democrat” programs.

One high-ranking CDC official, who was recently terminated, described the situation as “the weaponization of a government shutdown.” They called the terminations a calculated effort to dismantle the agency’s leadership structure. “It’s designed to sow chaos, demoralize career staff, and cripple the federal scientific infrastructure that protects Americans’ health,” the official stated.

The layoffs also included key personnel involved in the CDC’s flagship publication, the **Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report**, a vital resource for disseminating information about disease outbreaks. The majority of staff behind this essential publication have been let go, raising alarms about the continuity of public health communications.

Moreover, members of the **Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS)**, a program known for training rapid outbreak response teams, faced significant cuts. While some individuals in the U.S. Public Health Service were spared, the overall impact on the program remains severe.

As the situation unfolds, HHS Secretary **Robert F. Kennedy Jr.** has been largely silent regarding the firings. A spokesperson for HHS, Andrew Nixon, characterized the terminated positions as “non-essential,” further fueling the controversy surrounding these decisions.

The national health agency has already experienced significant staffing reductions earlier this year, with **2,400 employees** or **18%** of its workforce cut as part of the administration’s efforts to downsize the federal government. The recent layoffs have intensified concerns about the agency’s ability to respond to public health emergencies effectively.

The fired CDC official expressed deep personal feelings about the layoffs, stating, “To see the very system we’ve built being dismantled under false pretenses is devastating.” They emphasized the broader implications of these cuts, noting that they erode trust and continuity within public health efforts.

Another CDC employee, who chose to remain anonymous, echoed these sentiments, describing the situation as “emotionally devastating” and a threat to public safety. The official remarked, “It’s a calculated blow meant to break the will of a workforce that has already given more than most Americans will ever see.”

As voices within the CDC rally against the firings, there are calls for Congress to act to rein in executive power. The terminated official highlighted ongoing efforts among colleagues to organize and advocate for the agency’s integrity, stating, “People have learned. They’re organizing, sharing information, building networks across centers and regions.”

The fallout from these layoffs presents a crucial moment for the CDC and public health in the United States. As the agency grapples with these challenges, the commitment of its remaining staff and the response from lawmakers will play pivotal roles in shaping the future of public health infrastructure.