Summary

The Trump administration’s federal workforce cuts have reached the FDA, with employees in food safety, medical devices, and tobacco oversight being fired.

The exact number is unclear, but the layoffs are part of a broader Health and Human Services plan to eliminate 5,200 jobs.

Critics warn the firings will weaken oversight and innovation, especially as the FDA struggles with staffing shortages.

Former officials argue the cuts will demoralize employees and hinder recruitment. The agency also faces a backlog of uninspected drug facilities.