FDA Moves to Rehire Some Recently Fired Employees Amid Backlash

Based on the search results, here are the key details about the FDA working to reverse layoffs and rehire lost staff:

The FDA is attempting to rehire around 300 employees who were recently laid off as part of broader cuts by the Trump administration12.

The rehiring efforts seem to be focused primarily on medical device reviewers, likely due to pressure from the medical device industry12.

The original layoffs affected approximately 1,000 FDA employees, including many probationary staff members13.

Other health agencies like the CDC and NIH were also impacted by the broader federal workforce cuts3.

The layoffs targeted newer employees still in their probationary period, which inadvertently affected key areas where the FDA had been trying to increase staffing24.

Some food safety and human foods program staff are also being rehired, though likely to a lesser extent than medical device reviewers4.

Critics argue the cuts could hamper the FDA's ability to review new products and ensure public health and safety25.

The rehiring efforts began over the weekend of February 22-23, 2025, with some employees receiving calls to return12.

Despite the partial reversal, experts warn there may be lasting damage to employee trust and morale at the agency7.

The layoffs and subsequent rehiring have caused significant disruption and uncertainty within the FDA and other federal health agencies5.

Sources:

1. https://www.biospace.com/policy/fda-to-rehire-scientists-after-trumps-firing-spree-reuters

2. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/fda-moves-to-rehire-medical-device-staffers-fired-only-days-earlier-ap-says

3. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/news/thousands-of-federal-workers-including-cdc-fda-and-nih-staff-laid-off-in-sweeping-cuts/articleshow/118577473.cms

4. https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10158-fda-moves-to-rehire-some-human-foods-staffers-who-were-previously-fired

5. https://www.biopharmadive.com/news/fda-layoffs-trump-doge-hhs-cuts-impact/740499/

7. https://www.raps.org/news-and-articles/news-articles/2025/2/fda-rehires-some-laid-off-staff,-though-some-fear