HHS Cuts 20,500 Workers: Scientists Now Funding Own Gloves
The Trump-era Health and Human Services cuts have turned science labs into thrift stores, forcing workers to buy their own supplies. ProPublica reveals over 20,500 staffâ18% of HHSâare gone, including 3,000+ scientists and 1,000+ inspectors. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. called it trimming 'bureaucratic bloat,' but insiders report desperate shortages: 'I could walk into a plant and within five minutes could tell you if there was a rodent problem,' lamented a former FDA investigator. Meanwhile, HHS claims these cuts promote transparency and trust, somehow making America healthy again.
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When government says 'efficiency,' they mean sending scientists out to scrounge for gloves while FDA inspectors track rodent 'fresh-cut grass' scents solo. Nothing says public health like empty labs and autographed buyout letters.
Cutting 18% of HHS staff: because who needs scientists, regulators, or safety inspectors when you've got budget spreadsheets and optimism? Wearing gloves isnât government-fundedâbring your own!
HHS layoffs pruning scientists so effectively, even lab mosquitos are begging for saline. 'Make America Healthy Again' or just make it happen to fund your latte instead?
Source: Propublica | Published: 8/21/2025 | Author: by Brandon Roberts, Annie Waldman and Pratheek Rebala, illustrations by Sam Green for ProPublica
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