On April 10, 2025, a report was released detailing significant disruptions within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under President Trump’s administration. Health institutions like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have experienced notable terminations of grants and layoffs, impacting thousands of employees. This has affected not only federal agencies but also state and local health departments and academic institutions, halting progress in public health protection and disease prevention.
The reported actions are perceived as part of a larger movement to dismantle key institutions and expertise, akin to historical purges such as the Cultural Revolution in China. Critics suggest the driving force is a radical ideological agenda, which aims to eliminate established institutions and replace them with politically aligned figures lacking scientific credibility.
The Trump administration’s actions, including appointing controversial figures in health leadership roles, have been met with concern over their impact on scientific and health infrastructure. Notable is the installation of Covid skeptics and anti-vaccine advocates in influential positions. For example, actions like suspending Covid-19 research funding and questioning the efficacy of established vaccines have been observed.
While political and judicial efforts to counter these changes exist, they appear insufficient in the face of the administration’s strategies. Institutions such as universities are attempting to navigate these changes, often compromising their integrity in the process.
As these events unfold, there is an observed rise in pseudoscience, with significant consequences for public health, illustrated by the resurgence of diseases like measles. Despite pushbacks from some political figures, the administration remains steadfast in implementing its agenda, which some equate to a deliberate infliction of long-term damage on American science and public health sectors.