In a move that could sharpen the edge of public health infrastructure, the Trump administration has reportedly executed significant staff reductions at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This sweep affects a wide array of senior scientists and epidemiologists—essentially the “disease detectives” tasked with guarding our health. It even includes the shuttering of the agency’s entire Washington, D.C. office.
The Gateway Pundit has earlier reported that layoffs officially commenced on Friday, coinciding with another tensed chapter in the U.S. government shutdown saga.
Budget chief Russell Vought confirmed these sweeping layoffs via his social media account.
“The RIFs have begun,” Vought declared on X, making use of the shorthand for “Reductions in Force.”
The RIFs have begun.
— Russ Vought (@russvought) October 10, 2025
As per various media outlets, layoff notifications were dispatched late Friday night, with affected CDC employees made aware that their positions were being eliminated amid the ongoing governmental freeze. Key victims of the downsizing included senior researchers, members of the Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS), and entire policy and administrative teams at the CDC’s head office, according to The New York Times.
Employees were informed their roles were classified as “unnecessary” or “duplicative.”
Among those feeling the brunt of these changes is the team responsible for the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the CDC’s own publication tracking emerging health trends. Operations for this critical publication have now reportedly been “paused indefinitely.”
The Epidemic Intelligence Service, known for sending “disease detectives” around the globe to combat outbreaks, was not spared either, as nearly 70 officers received news that their services were no longer required.
A more detailed report from The New York Times cites multiple CDC employees who, speaking under the veil of anonymity, described the atmosphere that night as “grim.” An intriguing observation: this latest wave of layoffs was rolled out just before the Indigenous Peoples’ Day holiday weekend, echoing previous cuts announced on Valentine’s Day and April Fools’ Day.
The layoff notices, signed by Tom Nagy, the chief human resources officer at the Department of Health and Human Services, were accompanied by ten attachments that included details about severance pay, guidance on filing layoffs appeals, and a “career transition guide.”
A memo informed recipients that the action “does not reflect directly on your service, performance or conduct,” stressing they would be placed on administrative leave without access to their offices, effective immediately unless otherwise directed by their leadership.
Mr. Nagy concluded: “Leadership at H.H.S. appreciates your service.”
Last week, President Donald Trump announced plans to convene with Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, a pivotal figure behind the Project 2025 initiative. The goal? To assess which federal agencies—strategically branded as “political SCAM Democrat Agencies” by Trump—merit cuts, and whether these cuts would be merely temporary or lead to permanent restructuring.
Officials suggest that this meeting could trigger widespread layoffs, departmental closures, and funding freezes.
Trump’s announcement hints these changes might signify more than just temporary savings; they could lead to fundamental shifts within the federal health landscape.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump expressed:
“I have a meeting today with Russ Vought, he of PROJECT 2025 Fame, to determine which of the many Democrat Agencies, most of which are a political SCAM, he recommends to be cut, and whether or not those cuts will be temporary or permanent. I can’t believe the Radical Left Democrats gave me this unprecedented opportunity. They are not stupid people, so maybe this is their way of wanting to, quietly and quickly, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! President DJT”
