The Impact of Federal Workforce Reductions on National Institutes of Health

Mass Layoffs Hit NIH as Trump Administration Cuts Jobs Across Federal Agencies

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the scientific and medical research communities, the Trump administration has initiated significant job cuts across various federal health agencies, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Among the hardest-hit departments is the Center for Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias (CARD), where roughly a tenth of its nearly 100 employees have been laid off. While the number may seem small, researchers and staff at CARD describe the cuts as devastating, warning that even the loss of a handful of key personnel could disrupt the delicate collaborative structure of the center and hinder critical progress in dementia research.

The layoffs come as part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reduce federal workforce numbers, with tens of thousands of employees across agencies facing termination. At CARD, the cuts have been particularly alarming, with high-profile researchers and leaders being let go, including the incoming acting director, Kendall Van Keuren-Jensen, who was expected to bring significant advancements to the field. Employees describe the termination of Van Keuren-Jensen as "jaw-dropping," leaving many questioning the rationale behind the cuts.

Researchers Speak Out: Layoffs Threaten Progress in Alzheimer’s and Dementia Research

The cuts at CARD have sparked widespread concern among neurologists and researchers, who argue that the layoffs could severely hinder the scientific community’s efforts to develop new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. CARD plays a vital role in collaborating with external scientists to turn early discoveries into tangible treatments and medicines. However, the loss of key personnel threatens to undermine this progress, leaving researchers worried about the future of dementia research.

One laid-off CARD employee, who spoke to ABC News on condition of anonymity, revealed that their termination letter cited "performance" issues, despite assurances from their managers that their work was satisfactory. Another employee expressed disbelief at the rationale, pointing out that a colleague who had recently published a groundbreaking paper in a high-impact journal was also terminated for "poor performance." These accounts have led many to question whether the layoffs are truly based on performance or if they are part of a broader political agenda to reshape the federal workforce.

Bipartisan Support and the Importance of CARD’s Mission

CARD has historically enjoyed bipartisan support, earning praise from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle for its critical work in addressing one of the nation’s most pressing health challenges. The center was even named after Sen. Roy Blunt, a Missouri Republican and longtime advocate for increased funding for dementia research. With nearly 7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease and no cure in sight, the work of CARD is more important than ever. Current treatments only manage symptoms or slow disease progression, making the need for innovative research urgent.

The layoffs at CARD have raised concerns that this progress is now at risk. Andrew Singleton, the outgoing director of CARD, expressed his dismay over the cuts in an email to colleagues, writing that the layoffs would "have a profound impact on the work we do to understand and treat disease." While Singleton did not respond to requests for comment, his words underscore the gravity of the situation and the fear that the cuts could have long-term consequences for medical research.

The Trump Administration Defends Layoffs as Part of Broader Cost-Cutting Measures

The White House has defended the layoffs as part of a broader effort to "cut waste, fraud, and abuse" within the federal government. Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, emphasized that President Trump campaigned on a promise to reduce government inefficiencies and that these cuts are a fulfillment of that pledge. "President Trump is just the first president to get it done," Leavitt said, framing the layoffs as a necessary step toward streamlining federal operations.

Newly confirmed Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has also been a vocal advocate for shakeups within the department. During his campaign, Kennedy called for significant reductions at NIH, suggesting that the agency should shift its focus away from infectious diseases and toward chronic conditions like Alzheimer’s. In a speech last November, Kennedy even outlined plans to cut hundreds of positions at NIH, stating, "We need to act fast, and we want to have those people in place on Jan. 20 so that on Jan. 21, 600 people are going to walk into offices at NIH and 600 people are going to leave."

Wider Cuts Across Health Agencies Spark Outrage and Concern

The layoffs at CARD are just one part of a larger wave of terminations across federal health agencies. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has seen around 700 employees let go, while the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cut at least 90 positions in areas such as nutrition, food safety, and infant formula regulation. Other parts of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), have also been affected.

In addition to the personnel cuts, there have been other changes that have raised eyebrows. For example, a media campaign encouraging flu vaccinations was removed from the CDC’s website, prompting questions about the administration’s commitment to public health initiatives. The staffers responsible for vaccines.gov, a website that helps people find vaccines in their area, were also laid off, further fueling concerns about the impact of these cuts on critical health services.

While the exact number of layoffs across HHS remains unclear, senior Trump administration officials have estimated that up to 6,000 employees may be affected. Other reports suggest the number could be closer to 3,600. Regardless of the exact figure, the scale of the cuts has sparked outrage and worry among researchers, advocates, and lawmakers, who fear that the reductions will have far-reaching and devastating consequences for public health and medical research.

The Broader Implications: A Controversial Shift in Health Priorities

The layoffs at CARD and other federal health agencies reflect a contentious shift in the Trump administration’s approach to health policy. While the White House has framed the cuts as a necessary step toward efficiency and accountability, critics argue that the reductions are ideologically driven and threaten to undermine critical research and public health initiatives.

Perhaps nowhere is this tension more apparent than in the administration’s push to reorient NIH’s focus away from infectious diseases and toward chronic conditions like Alzheimer’s. While Kennedy and other officials have argued that this shift is overdue, many in the scientific community worry that it could leave the country unprepared to respond to future pandemics and public health crises.

Moreover, the layoffs have been met with skepticism by lawmakers and advocacy groups, who point out that the Trump administration’s actions seem to contradict its own rhetoric about prioritizing health and medical innovation. With millions of Americans affected by Alzheimer’s and related dementias, the stakes could not be higher. As the administration continues its cost-cutting measures, one thing is clear: the consequences of these decisions will be felt far beyond the halls of government, shaping the future of medical research and public health for years to come.