Topline
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. began laying off thousands of workers at the agency Tuesday in a downsizing he announced last week that’s expected to impact 10,000 employees—with the initial layoffs affecting multiple divisions and directors at the FDA, CDC and National Institutes of Health.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. arriving at the official residence of the … More US Vice President ahead of the meeting between Taoiseach Micheal Martin and US Vice President JD Vance in Washington DC. (Photo by Niall Carson/PA Images via Getty Images)
Key Facts
Kennedy began sending “reduction in force” notices to employees early Tuesday, according to multiple reports.
Kennedy announced Thursday he would cut 10,000 jobs at the agency, including 18% of employees at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 15% of FDA employees, 6% of National Institutes of Health workers and 4% of employees at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing internal documents.
Among the layoffs Tuesday: FDA Office of New Drugs Director Peter Stein and the division’s policy office were let go, FDA Center for Tobacco Products Director Brian King was placed on administrative leave, and the FDA’s Office of Strategic Programs, including its director, Sridhar Mantha, was cut entirely, Politico reported.
This is a developing story and will be updated.