At the CDC headquarters in Atlanta, a culture of fear and secrecy prevails following mass firings initiated by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Since his appointment in February, over 10,000 seasoned employees have been let go, causing significant dysfunction and chaos within the agency. Staff avoid Zoom meetings and speak in soundproof offices, fearing surveillance by the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge).
Kennedy’s administration has disrupted longstanding scientific norms and cancelled many research programs deemed “woke.” Critics, including former staff, argue that the changes could irreparably harm public health. Key programs focused on preventing chronic diseases are being closed, despite significant health concerns, such as increasing lead contamination among children.
Kennedy has controversially fired all members of the advisory committee on immunization practices, replacing them with allies who echo his anti-vaccine views. This has raised alarms about the politicization of vaccines and its potential consequences for public health.
Despite claims of improving efficiency, sources indicate that new bureaucratic layers are complicating grant processes, ultimately hindering scientific progress. Many remaining staff express anxiety about their future and fear for American health, feeling that the current administration’s priorities starkly oppose their professional values.
