In a sweeping move that has sent shockwaves through the federal government, science-related positions have faced unprecedented terminations, leaving critical roles unfulfilled. Over 200,000 federal employees with less than a year of service were affected as of June 2024. The ramifications extend across several vital agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), among others. Many employees who were pivotal in responding to health crises and environmental conservation efforts found themselves suddenly jobless, raising concerns about public safety and environmental management.
The FDA plays a crucial role in reviewing medical devices to ensure they meet safety and performance standards. A former reviewer from the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health commented on the significant workload, saying that some technologies appear promising but could pose safety risks. The reviewer revealed working on Saturdays due to the sheer volume of submissions. The termination of such roles raises questions about the FDA's capacity to maintain its rigorous review process.
The CDC's Epidemic Intelligence Service, known for training "disease detectives" to tackle outbreaks, also saw its workforce affected. Employees at health agencies including the CDC, NIH, and FDA were not spared from the abrupt terminations. This move has sparked concerns about the nation's preparedness to handle health emergencies, especially in light of recent public health challenges.
In a dramatic turn of events, many employees addressing the bird flu response at the USDA received termination notices, only to have them rescinded later. This uncertainty further complicates efforts to combat the avian influenza threat, which poses serious implications for both human and animal health.
The National Park Service also felt the impact, with biological science technician Jim Landahl losing his position at Grand Canyon National Park. Tasked with restoring vegetation damaged by pipeline upgrades, Landahl was eager to begin planting trees but learned of his termination before he could start. Expressing his frustration, Landahl noted,
“I was supposed to be in the canyon right now, planting and getting that work done for the American public, but it was a waste of money, and it was a waste of time the way they did that.” – Jim Landahl
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) remains the sole authority in creating U.S. airspace maps—a task critical for maintaining national airspace safety. A cartographer from the agency underscored the importance of their work:
“Our work is strictly critical public safety and keeping our nation’s airspace safe,” – The cartographer
Highlighting the complexity of their task, the cartographer explained,
“If you look at just a square inch on the map, you will see over 30 symbols just in that area,” – The cartographer
Despite their crucial roles, these employees faced uncertainty regarding their job security. The cartographer expressed disbelief over their positions being considered dispensable:
“I honestly did think that we might have been safe from the firings given our critical positions.” – The cartographer
In the field of environmental conservation, Anna Tollfeldt from the U.S. Forest Service's office in Wrangell described her role in scouting streams. She emphasized the importance of responsible logging to preserve other resources like salmon, which hold cultural and subsistence value:
“We do need wood; logging does need to occur,” – Anna Tollfeldt
“it needs to be done responsibly if we want other resources, such as salmon, which is incredibly important here as a subsistence food and to the culture.” – Anna Tollfeldt
Meanwhile, Harlan Gough, a wildlife biologist at Columbia National Wildlife Refuge, shared his disappointment over losing a job he found meaningful. His termination disrupts ongoing efforts in wildlife conservation and habitat restoration.
The scientific community also expressed concern over the broader implications of these job cuts. Naomi Oreskes, a science historian from Harvard University, remarked on the unprecedented nature of these terminations:
“No president has ever done anything like this,” – Naomi Oreskes
Katie Sandlin from the National Human Genome Research Institute highlighted the critical need for education and training in genomic research:
“In order to reach that [understanding], you’ve got to educate students, you’ve got to train their teachers, you’ve got to inform health care providers,” – Katie Sandlin
She warned that without these efforts,
“If we’re not there doing it, it’s not going to happen.” – Katie Sandlin
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