Staff Reports
In the thrilling saga of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s brief tenure at the Department of Health and Human Services, there’s already a wave of resignations at the National Institutes of Health that make one wonder if the agency is taking its cues from a horror movie script. Just days into his leadership, the NIH has witnessed two high-profile departures in rapid succession. It seems to be a self-purging moment reminiscent of a reality TV show where contestants are voted off the island one by one.
The first of these notable exits is Michael Lauer, who took his leave as deputy director of extramural research. His farewell was noted to coincide almost eerily with the sudden retirement of Lawrence Tabak, the agency’s long-serving second-in-command. While some might describe the timing as “coincidental,” it’s more telling of an agency in upheaval. When two of five top deputies exit in less than 48 hours, it suggests that RFK Jr. is not simply playing with house money; he’s actively cleaning house.
Rats Off the Sinking Public Health™ Ship https://t.co/4Y2cl6IXPB
— Holly (@Holly2360) February 16, 2025
Lauer’s prior role involved doling out public funds to researchers who often danced the fine line between legitimate science and questionable studies. The Trump administration’s decision to put a chokehold on this financial spigot likely put a strain on guys like Lauer, who thrived in a system of unrestricted grant-writing. His track record during the COVID era was marked by unwavering enthusiasm for lockdown mandates and all things Fauci. While Lauer’s departure might be mourned by a certain demographic of suburban wine moms and his colleagues who still cling to the glory days of pandemic fear-mongering, the rest of America is probably enjoying a big bowl of popcorn while watching this untangling.
On another front, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—the agency that seems perpetually lost in the fog of bureaucracy—has seen its own staff diving into panic mode. There are whispers of looming job cuts that have employees shaking in their shoes. The transitions under RFK Jr. stand in stark contrast to prior administrations, or so some employees claim. Fewer meetings, less oversight, and a palpable sense of uncertainty have characterized the wrap-up of what associated sources claim is a chaotic environment for federal workers. In other words, it feels less like a government agency and more like a corporate merger gone wrong.
Staff morale at the CDC is reportedly sinking faster than the approval ratings of a certain ex-President who shall remain nameless. Protective measures for employees seem to be falling by the wayside, leading to a heightened sense of fear among those tasked with public health. A former employee lamented the treatment of long-standing civil servants, claiming that such transitions should not come at the cost of their dignity. While the picture being painted is one of distress, it’s hard not to see the dark humor in the ongoing drama—turns out some public servants genuinely thought they were irreplaceable.
It remains to be seen whether RFK Jr. will extend this exposé of NIH and CDC mismanagement into broader reforms or if he’ll ultimately let these organizations run themselves aground. The initial signs hint that he’s not one to coddle those who have thrived in what many perceive to be a chaotic and dysfunctional system. The political landscape promises to be entertaining, especially when massive bureaucratic bodies like the NIH and CDC scramble to redefine their identities under new leadership. It appears the spotlight is finally shining on years of complacency wrapped in red tape, and the fallout should be nothing short of riveting.
