The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is attempting to reverse the termination of staffers involved in managing the government’s response to the ongoing bird flu crisis, amid rising fears regarding the epidemic’s spread.
Tens of thousands of federal employees have been notified of upcoming layoffs, with the USDA being one of several health agencies affected by these mass terminations.
Last Friday, the USDA announced a significant reform initiative, including plans to streamline its workforce by eliminating positions deemed unnecessary. This move aligns with the broader directives from the Department of Government Efficiency.
However, just days later, the agency began efforts to reinstate certain staff members, particularly those associated with the critical response to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
A USDA spokesperson stated, “Although several positions supporting HPAI received termination notifications, we are working swiftly to rectify the situation and withdraw those letters.” This development was initially reported by multiple news outlets.
The agency has emphasized its commitment to addressing the bird flu outbreak, with certain job categories—such as veterinarians and animal health technicians—being exempt from the layoff actions to bolster this effort. The USDA is also focused on hiring essential personnel to ensure food safety and supply adequacy.
The H5 bird flu strain is now prevalent among wild birds worldwide, causing outbreaks in poultry and dairy farms across the U.S. Consumers are feeling the impact, with rising egg prices and reduced supply. The outbreak has reportedly led to some human infections as well.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there have been 68 confirmed cases of bird flu in the U.S. this year, including one reported fatality in Louisiana. Thankfully, the CDC assesses the current public health risk level to be low.
The federal government’s ongoing efforts to downsize—including at various health agencies—have raised alarm bells among experts and lawmakers alike.
Calls for Accountability Amidst Controversy
Democratic lawmakers have pointed fingers at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and its leadership for the firings related to the bird flu crisis.
Senator Chris Van Hollen tweeted, “This is the consequence of allowing inexperienced individuals to undermine vital government operations. It’s imperative to halt these reckless actions that threaten lives and national security.”
Additionally, Senator Amy Klobuchar noted the USDA’s initiatives to rehire employees involved in bird flu management, commenting on the “accidental” nature of the firings.
Amidst large-scale layoffs throughout the federal government, the USDA is not the only agency reconsidering certain job terminations. Similar unrest occurred last week at the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), where employees were hastily let go amid wider Department of Energy layoffs, leading to confusion and concern over national security implications.
“The lack of understanding of departmental responsibilities is alarming,” remarked a security expert. “Decisions made without awareness of implications could threaten essential national functions.”
In response to the backlash, the NNSA director issued a memo last Friday reversing the firings of all but a few dozen employees, demonstrating the confusion surrounding the layoff process.
President Trump, when asked about the handling of the NNSA layoffs, expressed minimal concern, stating, “We simply need to proceed with necessary actions to maintain our operational efficacy.” He added that investigations into the circumstances surrounding the layoffs are ongoing.
