Investing.com -- The White House on Thursday denied reports that it was planning an executive order to terminate thousands of workers across federal health agencies.
The Wall Street Journal had earlier reported the potential layoffs, citing sources familiar with the situation.
The report suggested that the executive order, which could be issued as early as next week, would require health agencies like the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to reduce their workforce by a specific percentage. Agency officials were reportedly instructed to compile lists of probationary employees, distinguishing between those in essential roles who must be retained and those who are not.
This report followed last week's offer by the Trump administration to 2 million full-time civilian federal workers. The offer allowed these employees to cease working this week while still receiving pay and benefits through September 30, as part of President Trump's efforts to reduce government size.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, potentially impacted by the alleged executive order, employs more than 83,000 people, according to data from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity (SO:FTCE11B) Commission. The department's agencies are responsible for a range of tasks, including tracking the current bird flu outbreak and other viruses.
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