CDC to Lose 10% of Workforce Under Trump’s Government Reduction Policy

The Trump administration’s policy cutting probationary employees will impact roughly 1,300 CDC staffers as part of a broader effort to streamline government operations.

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is set to lose approximately 10% of its workforce following President Donald Trump’s policy targeting probationary federal employees. The move is part of the administration’s broader initiative to reduce the size and scope of government operations, focusing on efficiency and cost savings.

This policy, which includes eliminating roughly 1,300 probationary employees at the CDC, provides the affected staffers with four weeks of paid administrative leave.

Decision Details and Implications

The leadership of the Atlanta-based CDC was verbally notified of the decision on Friday morning in a meeting with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), according to a federal official who spoke to AP News under anonymity.

The layoffs come at a time when the CDC, which operates with a $9.1 billion budget, has faced ongoing scrutiny, particularly for its handling of directives during the coronavirus pandemic. Controversies surrounding the organization include the continued presence of the coronavirus vaccine on the federal child vaccine schedule—a divisive issue for many Americans.

Political Response

Democratic leaders have expressed strong opposition to the impending layoffs. Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) released a statement condemning the decision, stating, “President Trump’s indefensible, indiscriminate firing of more than 1,000 CDC personnel in a single day leaves Americans exposed to disease and devastates careers and livelihoods for the world’s most talented doctors and scientists, many of them here in Georgia.”

Read his full remarks on Twitter.

The exact timing of the layoffs remains unclear, though the policy has already been enacted across other federal agencies.

Broader Context of Government Efficiency

The decision to cut CDC staffers is part of a larger initiative led by Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The administration has aimed to identify and eliminate wasteful spending across federal agencies, claiming billions in taxpayer savings.

DOGE highlighted recent cost-saving measures, including canceling 167 contracts valued at approximately $115 million. One of these cancellations included a $2.23 million contract for “equity assessments of existing program policies” under HHS.

DOGE described the initiative as an effort to “expose government corruption and slash waste,” presenting it as a key component of Trump’s mission to increase government efficiency.

Explore DOGE’s updates on Twitter.

Today’s contract update:

167 cancellations with savings of ~$115M, including a $2.23M contract for HHS for “equity assessments of existing program policies”. pic.twitter.com/mBHvslS4i0

— Department of Government Efficiency (@DOGE) February 14, 2025

As the Trump administration continues its push for leaner government operations, the impact on agencies like the CDC underscores the tension between reducing government spending and maintaining public health resources. The fallout from this decision will likely remain a contentious topic in the months ahead.