In a sudden reversal, the CDC cancels certain staff layoffs: NPR

Only a few weeks after having briefly dismissed hundreds of employees, the Trump administration now informs certain members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that they are back.

On Tuesday, an unknown number of CDC staff began to receive emails indicating that their dismissal letters were canceled, according to emails examined by NPR and interviews with more than half a dozen sources at the agency who were not authorized to speak publicly.

“Consequently, your physical and logical access has been restored and you are erased to return to work on Wednesday March 5, 2025,” said the email. “We apologize for any disturbance that it may have caused.”

As NPR reported, around 750 CDC workers – mainly those who were still in their periods of probation – were dismissed last month, citing inadequate performance as justification, even if those who spoke with NPR had stellar work records.

Now, some of these same employees are invited to immediately return to their previous roles. The CDC and the Ministry of Health and Social Services did not immediately respond to a request for comments.

“None of this is normal,” said an employee of the CDC who received the email indicating that they should return to work. “There is no rhyme or reason that I can say.”

This occurs the same day that the Trump administration revised a memo on January 20 asking the federal agencies to provide a list of all probationary employees to the staff management office, adding a warning that the OPM does not direct the agencies to take specific measures.

The staff of several CDC parts have been rehired, including members of two training scholarships, the laboratory leadership service program and the Public Health Associate Program on Tuesday evening.

“I really don’t understand what happened, but I’m grateful,” said a CDC’s current staff member.

The reversal spoke of the surprise and cautious optimism among the beneficiaries who spoke with NPR, although they also have fears in the near future.

“They are remarkably good for gas lighting and make people question reality,” said a current CDC employee, who had not yet learned if his staff were rehired.

Tuesday’s opinions offer no protection against future reductions in government agencies, ordered by President Trump last month.

These plans are in progress. The agencies are required to submit restructuring plans by the end of next week.

Monday, HHS offered an early retirement to eligible employees under early retirement volunteer, which “allows agencies which undergo substantial restructuring, to reshape, to reduce workforce, to transfer or reorganization to temporarily lower age and service requirements in order to increase the number of employees who are eligible for retirement” NPR.

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