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EXCLUSIVE INSIGHT: The Department of Health and Human Services, commonly referred to as HHS, continues to maintain a larger workforce than it did in 2019, despite reports of extensive cuts prompted by frustrations from Democratic leaders. This information comes directly from a source within the Trump administration.
The senior official emphasized to Fox News Digital that approximately 6,000 employees have left HHS since Inauguration Day on January 20. However, the agency still has almost 6,000 additional employees compared to 2019, notably including over 2,000 individuals within the Food and Drug Administration and about 1,200 at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Hiring at HHS surged significantly between the fiscal years 2019 and 2024. According to the senior administration official, the increase is around 17% in full-time positions projected for 2024. Furthermore, they highlighted that 50% of the jobs created in the U.S. for 2024 would be associated with governmental roles, whether directly or indirectly.
Within this context, the official dismissed the notion of “Democrat hysteria” surrounding cuts. They noted that every operating division within HHS either has a headcount that has increased or has remained relatively stable compared to the figures from fiscal year 2019.
Government Reform Initiatives
Meanwhile, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. assumed the position of the 26th secretary of HHS this Thursday. President Trump simultaneously enacted an executive order establishing the Make America Healthy Again Commission, which aims to investigate the underlying issues contributing to America’s escalating health crisis. The commission’s primary focus area will be childhood chronic diseases, which includes conditions like autism.
Following Kennedy’s confirmation, reports circulated regarding forthcoming layoffs within HHS, particularly affecting employees in the CDC and FDA. An ongoing priority of the Trump administration centers on streamlining government operations by identifying wasteful spending and addressing issues such as potential fraud or mismanagement. This reform effort has led to substantial layoffs across various federal agencies.
Impact of Leadership Changes
Reports indicated that Jim Jones, who heads the FDA’s food division, submitted his resignation earlier this week. According to multiple news outlets, Jones cited the administration’s “indiscriminate firing” of staff in his division as a significant hindrance to achieving the objectives set forth by the secretary to bolster national health.
In his resignation letter, Jones commented, “I was eager to work on improving the health of Americans by mitigating diet-related chronic diseases and risks associated with food chemicals. However, it has become increasingly clear that the current administration’s lack of respect for the essential personnel has rendered my continuation in this role futile.”
Protests and Public Sentiment
In light of the changes within HHS, federal employees organized a protest outside the department’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., this past Friday. Academic unions nationwide have also mobilized to encourage members of the scientific community to join a nationwide protest dubbed the “National Day of Action,” scheduled for Wednesday.
Defending Departmental Integrity
Amid these controversies, individuals affiliated with the Trump administration clarified that recent layoffs primarily affected probationary employees. These are workers who have been newly hired and are still under evaluation for long-term employment. The official stated emphatically that no long-tenured employees, who bring significant institutional knowledge, faced termination.
The recent cuts targeted neither critical personnel involved in emergency preparedness and response within the Administration for Strategy Preparedness and Response nor research scientists at either the CDC or the National Institutes of Health. Additionally, frontline healthcare providers at the Indian Health Service remained secure in their positions, along with employees engaged in Medicare and Medicaid services at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Furthermore, those working on refugee resettlement efforts within the Administration for Children and Families were exempt from the weekend’s layoffs. The administration official reiterated that the recent adjustments did not jeopardize the health or safety of the American public.
Future Directions for HHS
During his confirmation hearings, Kennedy expressed a commitment to reevaluating how the department functions, aiming to eliminate potential financial conflicts and guaranteeing that taxpayer dollars are devoted to promoting healthy foods. He assured the Senate Finance Committee, “We will ensure our tax dollars promote nutritious food options. We will scrutinize the additives in our food supply. Our focus will be on establishing an impartial scientific approach within HHS, holding ourselves accountable to the president, Congress, and the American people.”
Broader Legislative Implications
Both Kennedy and Trump, in past campaign discussions, committed to the promise of making America healthier. They highlighted the need to concentrate on autism affecting youth in recent years. The newly formed Make America Healthy Again Commission is expected to delve deeply into chronic health conditions impacting both adults and children, with a focus on autism which reportedly affects one in every 36 children.
The commission aims to publish an assessment within 100 days to summarize existing knowledge and identify remaining questions regarding the childhood chronic disease crisis, drawing comparisons with international data. Within 180 days, a strategy designed to enhance the health of American children will be developed based on the findings of this assessment.
Since Kennedy’s appointment, various state-level lawmakers have introduced legislation that aligns with the initiatives championed by Kennedy and the Make America Healthy Again movement. These proposed laws include efforts to prohibit the inclusion of junk food such as candy and soda in school lunches and amendments targeting state vaccine regulations.
Reporting by Alec Schemmel contributed to this article.
