In a sweeping and controversial move, top federal health officials across multiple agencies under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) were effectively removed or reassigned Tuesday as part of a large-scale government restructuring led by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Dozens of senior leaders at agencies like the CDC, NIH, and FDA were either ousted or offered reassignment—many to the Indian Health Service (IHS), often in remote locations. While the department framed the reassignments as “voluntary,” officials say rejecting them could mean losing severance pay, sparking internal outrage and confusion.
Who Was Removed or Reassigned?
Among the most high-profile exits was Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, who succeeded Dr. Anthony Fauci as head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Her removal marks a major shift in the direction of U.S. infectious disease policy.
At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), three senior leaders were removed or reassigned:
Dr. Karen Hacker, who oversaw chronic disease programs,
Kayla Laserson, who led global health efforts, and
Dr. Jonathan Mermin, head of the STD and HIV/AIDS center.
Other major figures pushed out include Dr. John Howard, who led the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and Dr. Brian King, the FDA’s top tobacco regulator.
RFK Jr. Declares “The Revolution Begins”
RFK Jr., recently appointed HHS Secretary, posted “The revolution begins today!” on X (formerly Twitter) shortly after the reassignments became public. He has long criticized the existing public health system and signaled major changes were coming.
In an email obtained by CBS News, new NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya acknowledged the shift, saying, “Every inch of the federal government is under scrutiny—and NIH is not exempt.” He called for an “entirely new approach” to health administration and promised to lead the changes “humanely.”
10,000 Jobs Targeted, 2,400 Cuts at the CDC Alone
These personnel changes are part of a broader plan by Kennedy and the White House’s Department of Government Efficiency task force to cut 10,000 federal health jobs. According to an internal list, the CDC will lose 2,400 employees, the largest reduction among HHS agencies.
Entire teams under Dr. Hacker and Dr. Mermin have been eliminated, including the Division of Reproductive Health, Division of Population Health, Office of Smoking and Health, and tuberculosis programs.
These moves follow the resignations or ousters of several high-ranking officials earlier this year, including Dr. Peter Marks, the FDA’s former top vaccine official, and the agency’s top food and nutrition leader.
Indian Health Service Becomes Destination for Reassignments
Many of the officials were told they would be reassigned to the Indian Health Service (IHS). While HHS claims these are optional transfers, several officials said they were warned that turning down the reassignment could impact severance pay or result in job loss.
This has drawn sharp criticism from within the agencies. “How insulting to IHS and the center directors,” one CDC official said. “The IHS sites fill critical gaps, they aren’t an American Gulag Archipelago.”
Still, HHS insists the IHS was not part of the layoffs and continues to face chronic staffing shortages. The agency says it welcomed support from reassigned personnel.
A Leadership Overhaul at FDA and NIH
As of Tuesday, new leaders at the FDA and NIH officially took over, both of whom were recently confirmed by the Senate. Their arrival marks the beginning of what officials describe as a complete reset of federal health leadership.