Month: March 2025

The Department of Health and Human Services confirmed on Thursday that 10,000 full-time employees will soon lose their jobs, coming on top of the nearly 10,000 who have already left the agency in the last few months through buyout offers or early retirements. The agency oversees the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, among other divisions.

Amid an executive order from President Donald Trump to downsize federal agencies, the HHS announced the plans to cut 10,000 employees, stating it will undergo a “dramatic restructuring in accordance” with the executive order issued in February that federal agencies need to reduce their workforces. Other employees may be offered early retirement or deferred resignation, which the agency said will reduce its total workforce from 82,000 to 62,000 full-time employees.

HHS further stated that this personnel reduction will “save taxpayers $1.8 billion per year, and streamline the functions of the Department,” making the agency “more responsive and efficient, while ensuring that Medicare, Medicaid, and other essential health services remain intact.” The HHS also noted it will employ a new effort toward “ending America’s epidemic of chronic illness by focusing on safe, wholesome food, clean water, and the elimination of environmental toxins.”

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. said in a statement on Thursday that “we aren’t just reducing bureaucratic sprawl. We are realigning the organization with its core mission and our new priorities in reversing the chronic disease epidemic.  Over time, bureaucracies like HHS become wasteful and inefficient even when most of their staff are dedicated and competent civil servants. This overhaul will be a win-win for taxpayers and for those that HHS serves. That’s the entire American public, because our goal is to Make America Healthy Again.”

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On Thursday, President Donald Trump withdrew his nomination of Rep. Elise Stefanik as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Trump cited the slight margin that majority Republicans hold in the House of Representatives for his decision to pull Stefanik from consideration for the U.N. post, with the president saying he’s asked her to remain in Congress.

CBS News, who was first to report that Trump was considering withdrawing Stefanik’s nomination, said that the nomination was in jeopardy as GOP pressure mounted for her to back away from the position.  Republicans hold a narrow majority in the House with 218 seats, while Democrats hold 213 seats, with four vacant seats currently.

Trump wrote on Truth Social:  “As we advance our America First Agenda, it is essential that we maintain EVERY Republican Seat in Congress. We must be unified to accomplish our Mission, and Elise Stefanik has been a vital part of our efforts from the very beginning. I have asked Elise, as one of my biggest Allies, to remain in Congress to help me deliver Historic Tax Cuts, GREAT Jobs, Record Economic Growth, a Secure Border, Energy Dominance, Peace Through Strength, and much more, so we can MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. With a very tight Majority, I don’t want to take a chance on anyone else running for Elise’s seat. The people love Elise and, with her, we have nothing to worry about come Election Day. There are others that can do a good job at the United Nations. Therefore, Elise will stay in Congress, rejoin the House Leadership Team, and continue to fight for our amazing American People. Speaker Johnson is thrilled! I look forward to the day when Elise is able to join my Administration in the future. She is absolutely FANTASTIC. Thank you Elise!”

The surprise development is a significant blow to Stefanik, a Trump loyalist and rising star in the party. There was little doubt Stefanik would have the votes to be confirmed, and her nomination was advanced by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Jan. 30.

Trump announced on Nov. 11, 2024 that he selected Stefanik, 40, to represent the United States at the UN, praising her as “an incredibly strong, tough and smart America First fighter.” Stefanik, a New York Republican, was elected to Congress in 2014 and rose to House GOP leadership to be the highest-ranking Republican woman in the House.  She served as chair of the House Republican Conference from May 2021 to Jan. 2025, stepping down from the House GOP leadership post after being picked to serve in the administration..

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