Trump Cuts Two-Thirds of NIOSH Workforce, Lays Off Firefighter Death Investigators, Halts Cancer Study

The Trump administration has implemented substantial cuts to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), including the dismissal of nearly all federal investigators responsible for examining firefighter deaths. Seven out of eight workers assigned to these investigations were laid off, and approximately two-thirds of NIOSH's workforce was reduced. These cuts have halted a pioneering study into the causes of cancer cases affecting thousands of firefighters. As a result, ongoing investigations into firefighter deaths at 20 fire departments are unlikely to be completed. The reductions also impacted programs aimed at preventing cancer and other work-related fatal conditions among firefighters. Additionally, the workforce responsible for addressing issues related to the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) was also reduced under this administration.