Tiny Red HandsBack

More than 20,500 HHS workers left or were pushed out

Date
2025-08-21
Entry type
health-workforce-analysis
Current status
ProPublica measured more than 20,500 departures across HHS agencies

The 18-percent loss removed scientists, safety inspectors, grant staff, technicians, and the support workers who keep labs functioning.

Entities and roles

Relationships in this file

  1. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.implemented an 18-percent workforce contractionU.S. Department of Health and Human Services
  2. Donald J. TrumpTrump-appointed health and human services secretaryRobert F. Kennedy Jr.
  3. Donald J. TrumpTrump-appointed senior adviser who led DOGE workElon Musk
  4. Donald J. TrumpTrump-appointed OMB director and acting CFPB directorRussell Vought

Claims and evidence

  1. analysisreported

    ProPublica's analysis of the HHS employee directory found more than 20,500 workers, about 18 percent of the department, had departed or been pushed out, including more than 3,000 scientists and public-health specialists and more than 1,000 regulators and inspectors.

  2. factdocumented

    Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was the Trump-appointed health and human services secretary.

  3. factdocumented

    Elon Musk was the Trump-appointed senior adviser who led DOGE work.

  4. factdocumented

    Russell Vought was the Trump-appointed OMB director and acting CFPB director.

Measurements

  1. HHS workforce departuresmore than 20,500 people
    Basis
    Observed
    Population
    Department of Health and Human Services workforce
    Period
    2025-01-20 to 2025-08-21
    Method
    ProPublica comparison of public HHS employee-directory records and departure reporting.
    Uncertainty
    Undercount excludes some employees still listed or on leave; includes voluntary and involuntary exits.