Trump Administration Fires Dozens of CDC Employees Amid Government Shutdown: Report

In a stunning move during the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, the Trump administration has reportedly dismissed dozens of employees at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including some of its most senior scientists and the entire washington D.C. office, according to a report by The New York Times on Saturday.

The report claims that the layoffs affected several high-level personnel, including renowned disease detectives — experts responsible for tracking and containing global health outbreaks — as well as senior researchers overseeing critical public health programs. This mass dismissal, if confirmed, marks one of the most significant workforce reductions at the CDC in recent history.

The authenticity of the report has not yet been independently verified by Hindustan Times (HT) or any other major outlet, and the U.S. government has so far refrained from issuing an official statement regarding the alleged firings.

Layoffs Come Amid Trump’s Broader Federal Workforce Reduction

The reported firings follow President Donald Trump’s pledge to significantly downsize the federal workforce during the shutdown. Earlier this week, Trump stated that he was “keeping his promise” by cutting thousands of federal jobs across multiple departments, including the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Homeland Security, Treasury, and Commerce.

“It’ll be a lot, and we’ll announce the numbers over the next couple of days, but it’ll be a lot of people,” Trump told reporters from the oval office on Friday, hinting at large-scale dismissals that would soon follow.

The President’s statement, repeated several times during his interactions with the media, underscores his determination to restructure the federal system — a move that critics say could have dire implications for public health safety and national preparedness during emergencies.

Concerns Grow Over Impact on Public Health

Experts warn that cutting down CDC staff, particularly those involved in field epidemiology and disease surveillance, could seriously hinder the agency’s ability to monitor infectious disease outbreaks, respond to pandemics, and coordinate with state health departments.

“Removing disease detectives during a shutdown doesn’t just hurt the CDC — it weakens America’s first line of defense against global health threats,” said a senior health official who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the situation.

Uncertain Future for CDC Operations

The alleged closure of the CDC’s Washington office has raised further questions about the future of federal health coordination and funding oversight. The Washington branch served as a vital link between the CDC’s Atlanta headquarters and federal lawmakers, ensuring alignment on public health policy, research funding, and disease prevention initiatives.

With the administration remaining silent on the layoffs, anxiety is spreading across the scientific and medical communities. If the firings are confirmed, this move would represent a dramatic shift in how the federal government manages its health infrastructure during times of crisis.

Awaiting Official Confirmation

As of now, the White House and the Department of Health and Human Services have not commented on the report. However, given the scale of the claims, analysts expect an official response soon. Political observers also point out that the move could become a major flashpoint in the ongoing debate over the role of science and expertise in federal decision-making under the Trump administration.

Until then, uncertainty looms large — both for the CDC employees affected and for the broader public health community watching closely. As the shutdown continues, questions persist about how deep these cuts will go and what they mean for America’s readiness to tackle future health emergencies.