[andyjohnson0]

Looks like its not just health-related agencies. Many/most people hired by US government agencies in the last two years seem to be being let-go. Some of them will be tech workers, but also engineers, scientists, clinicians, administrators, rangers, educators. People who use this site.

"Some 280,000 employees out of the 2.3 million member civilian federal workforce were hired in the last two years, with most still on probation and easier to fire, according to government data."

"About 1,200 to 2,000 workers at the Department of Energy were laid off, including hundreds of employees from the office that oversees the nuclear stockpile, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Friday."

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/thousands-fired-trump-musk-...

Looks like absolute carnage, and its hard to see how the US government is going to maintain its operational capacity. As for the CDC being gutted, better hope these bird flu and measles outbreaks don't do a covid.

[SketchySeaBeast]

What a blood bath.

> As for the CDC being gutted, better hope these bird flu and measles outbreaks don't do a covid.

With RFK in the lead would it honestly matter how many staff they have?

[dubcanada]

Dude has been department head for a day? Do we have such little faith that we judge a person before a single stroke of the pen? While historical actions do speak loud, having a bad past does not mean you are a bad person. Nor does it mean your policies will reflect your personal beliefs. There have been tons of individuals who set aside their beliefs and done a fantastic job.

[csoups14]

We're supposed to withhold judgment on somebody who has directly led to the deaths of several dozen children? Are you really implying there is no one who is better qualified to lead HHS?

[dubcanada]

Does it sound like I am suggesting that? That's certainly not my question. I don't think RFK should be anywhere near anything. But he is. So the only option is to accept that, and hold off judging someone until bad policies are released.

It's entirely possible RFK feels extreme regret for such incident and wishes to help prevent it from happening again. It's also entirely possible RFK will do a decent job, just like it's possible he will be replaced in 6 months.

There is some validity in his comments, US is not healthy, there is extreme dietary issues, lack of exercise and eating terribly is rampant. But nobody complained about any other department head for not trying to solve that issue. But his past is very loudly negative.

[analog31]

We can always update our priors if we're proven wrong about these people. What's wrong with having expectations?

Somebody must have had an expectation, otherwise how were they selected? Why do we keep hearing over and over that they need forgiveness?

[sundaeofshock]

Let’s hold off on judging the bull we just released in the china shop unitl he has time to wander around in there for a while.

[lcnPylGDnU4H9OF]

That's an interesting analogy. If I recall correctly, Mythbusters put a bull in a china shop and found that the bull avoided the shelves and didn't break anything.

[avgDev]

Just think about this statement for a second.

If you know someone has done terrible things, why would they change once they acquire more power?

Having a bad past stops you from owning weapons, from obtaining security clearance. Why do you think this is the case?

[SketchySeaBeast]

You're correct that I don't expect RFK's policies to necessarily follow his personal beliefs. He's previously mentioned being pro-choice, and this admin is against that, so he's already changed his tune there.

But no, I don't expect him to change that much. Just last night he was on Fox saying how we don't have good data on the COVID vaccines.

[kacesensitive]

RFK Jr. has a long track record of spreading pseudoscience, conspiracy theories, and misinformation—issues that go beyond personal beliefs and directly impact decision-making. Trusting him to govern rationally ignores the fact that his entire brand is built on anti-vaccine rhetoric and a general rejection of scientific consensus. Leaders who have successfully set aside personal beliefs to govern effectively typically have a history of pragmatism, not one of doubling down on disinformation. If someone has spent years pushing harmful falsehoods, there's little reason to believe they'll suddenly embrace reality when in power.

[scarecrowbob]

"Do we have such little faith that we judge a person before a single stroke of the pen?"

Yes.

It's not like he hasn't got a massive body of public statements to read. I mean, I understand that people in gov think we are all dumb enough that we think he's "pro-vaccine" no, somehow despite his toddler merch.

I mean, sometimes I think I am dumb too, especially when I respond to folks on this site. But yeah, most folks here aren't so dumb they can't tell what RFK will probably do based on his long public record of saying dumb stuff.

[jrsdav]

> Many/most people hired by US government agencies in the last two years seem to be being let-go.

Could read into this a few ways. People joined who were eager to be part of tackling how the US prepares for and manages the next pandemic (which was uh, how do you say...an unpopular event with this administration), or people who may have been hired while DEI initiatives were having their moment. Both cases feel like vengeful targeting.

Regardless of which camp you're in, you can't ignore the collateral damage from this. What a very troubling time for the US.

[achandlerwhite]

Or its just everyone who accepted a federal job to put food on their family table or to perform public service. It's all federal jobs, not just health as in this article, where those that are hired within the last 1-2 years are being summarily fired. Without consideration of performance or need.