CDC Workforce Slashed as Trump Orders Mass Firing of Probationary Federal Employees, Including ‘Disease Detectives’

The Trump administration has terminated nearly 1,300 probationary employees at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), marking one of the largest workforce reductions in the agency’s history. The cuts are part of a sweeping move by the administration to fire nearly all probationary federal employees, a decision expected to affect approximately 5,200 workers across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

The CDC’s “disease detectives”, public health specialists responsible for tracking outbreaks and investigating threats to national health security, were among those dismissed on Friday. The mass layoffs hit nearly 10% of the CDC’s workforce, raising concerns about the country’s ability to respond to public health crises.

According to an audio recording from a National Institutes of Health (NIH) department meeting, agency officials stated that some probationary staff with highly specialized skills might be spared. However, the majority were notified via email on Friday afternoon that their employment had been terminated.

The CDC’s leadership was verbally informed of the decision by HHS officials during a Friday morning meeting, according to a federal official who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The decision appears to align with Trump’s broader plan to eliminate federal employees who have not yet gained civil service protections.

Some of the affected employees will receive four weeks of paid administrative leave before officially leaving their positions, according to the federal official and the recorded NIH meeting.

The CDC plays a crucial role in monitoring and responding to infectious disease outbreaks, bioterrorism threats, and global pandemics. With nearly 1,300 positions cut, including front-line epidemiologist, some experts warn that the nation’s ability to detect and contain public health emergencies could be weakened.

The Trump administration has laid off nearly 1,300 CDC employees, including disease detectives tracking public health threats. How will this impact public safety?