HHS Workforce Grows Despite Recent Layoffs and Administration Cuts

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) continues to employ more individuals than in 2019, despite claims of cuts within the department's agencies, according to exclusive information from Fox News Digital.

A senior official from the Trump administration revealed that there have been 6,000 departures from HHS since Inauguration Day on January 20. Nevertheless, the agency still has nearly 6,000 more staff members compared to 2019, which includes over 2,000 employees at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and 1,200 employees at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Between fiscal years 2019 and 2024, hiring at HHS significantly increased, resulting in a 17% rise in full-time employees by 2024. The official noted that 50% of the jobs created in the U.S. during 2024 were either direct or indirect government roles.

"Democrat hysteria about essential offices in HHS being culled is unfounded; each operating division has either increased or maintained headcount compared to fiscal year 2019," the official stated.

On Thursday, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was confirmed and sworn in as the 26th secretary of HHS, coinciding with President Donald Trump's signing of an executive order for the Make America Healthy Again Commission, focusing on America's escalating health crisis, particularly childhood chronic diseases like autism.

Reports surfaced immediately following Kennedy's confirmation about potential layoffs at HHS, including within the CDC and FDA, as Trump’s administration attempts to streamline the government and eliminate overspending and fraud, leading to layoffs in various agencies.

Jim Jones, head of the FDA's food division, submitted his resignation on Monday, claiming that the administration's "indiscriminate firing" would hinder efforts to improve American health.

Federal employees protested outside HHS in Washington, D.C., while academic unions nationwide are organizing a "National Day of Action" protest outside the department.

The administration clarified that recent terminations included predominantly probationary employees who were still under review for long-term positions, indicating that no experienced employees with "institutional knowledge" were affected.

Layoffs did not extend to critical personnel focused on emergency response within the Administration for Strategy Preparedness and Response (ASPR), CDC, or other essential divisions of HHS.

Cuts made at HHS over the weekend were deemed not to compromise the health and safety of Americans, as stated by the administration official.

Kennedy emphasized his commitment to reviewing the department's previous practices, minimizing conflicts of interest, and ensuring tax dollars support nutritious food options and unbiased scientific reporting.

Both Kennedy and Trump have pledged to "Make America Healthy Again," with the newly formed MAHA commission set to investigate chronic conditions among children and adults, including autism, which affects one in 36 children.

The commission aims to release an assessment within 100 days and formulate a strategy within 180 days to enhance the health of American children.