Story perspectives

Trump's CDC Faces Leadership Crisis Amid Mass Layoffs

2/20/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump oversees the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) without a permanent director.
Jay Bhattacharya will temporarily lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Following Jim O’Neill’s departure, the agency cut staff through mass layoffs initiated by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
A new law requires Senate confirmation for the CDC director.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump oversees the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) without a permanent director.
Jay Bhattacharya will temporarily lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Following Jim O’Neill’s departure, the agency cut staff through mass layoffs initiated by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
A new law requires Senate confirmation for the CDC director.