Robert F. Kennedy Jr., head of the Department of Health and Human Services under the Trump administration, has acknowledged that a significant portion of federal employees cut through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) program may need to be reinstated.
Speaking at a press conference in Virginia, Kennedy said, “We always knew that about 20 percent of the workforce we eliminate might need to be brought back. We’re aiming for 80 percent cuts, but mistakes will happen… and when they do, we’ll fix them.”
The comments come just as the administration rolls out sweeping reductions, slashing approximately 10,000 jobs. Among the most impacted are major agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which has long stood as the global leader in funding biomedical research, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which oversees critical areas like vaccine approval, drug safety, and tobacco regulation.
One specific area where reversals may occur involves the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Programs focused on monitoring children’s lead exposure… previously cut — are now under review for potential reinstatement.
“There are a few initiatives we may need to revive,” Kennedy noted, adding, “The lead exposure tracking program is likely one of them.”
While the DOGE initiative aims to streamline government functions and reduce federal spending, the administration appears to be open to reevaluating certain cuts if they prove detrimental to public health or safety.
