Trump Administration’s proposed cuts to health and human services raise concerns
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has become the latest target of the Trump administration’s government efficiency efforts.
(NBC)- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has become the latest target of the Trump administration’s government efficiency efforts, with a major announcement to cut 10,000 jobs across the agency. The cuts include 3,500 positions at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and 2,400 at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
In a statement, HHS officials said the focus would be on eliminating excess administrative roles while boosting the number of scientists and frontline health providers. “We are keenly focused on paring away excess administrators while increasing the number of scientists and frontline health providers,” an official remarked.
These cuts come on top of previous reductions, marking a significant downsizing that could result in a quarter of the agency’s staff being laid off. While the administration claims the changes are necessary for government efficiency, many Democrats are concerned about the potential impact on healthcare and research. Senator John Hickenlooper (D-Colorado) raised concerns, saying, “How they’re going to backfill, how they’re going to make sure we’re not losing critical muscles.”
The controversy around these cuts is compounded by a series of recent high-profile missteps. Elon Musk, appearing on Fox News, defended the Trump administration’s approach, particularly its handling of fast-moving decisions and occasional rehiring of fired workers, including those at the FDA. “We want to measure twice, if not thrice, and cut once,” Musk stated. “When we do make mistakes, we correct them quickly and we move on.”
Meanwhile, the White House is dealing with fallout from a sensitive incident involving a group chat, which accidentally included a reporter alongside top Trump officials. The chat, which discussed imminent U.S. airstrikes in Yemen, has become a focal point in an ongoing legal battle. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt acknowledged the mistake, saying, “The National Security Advisor took responsibility for that, and we have said we are making changes.”
NBC News has learned that President Trump is privately angry with National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, who initiated the group chat. A federal judge has now ordered that the officials involved preserve the messages as part of the ongoing lawsuit.
