Annie Waldman
@anniewaldman.bsky.social
Covering health care @ProPublica. Signal: 347-549-0332. Email: annie.waldman@propublica.org. (Also #COYS)
And kudos to my co-reporter @bxroberts.org who is masterful at understanding the complexity of federal data sets! 📊
November 6, 2025 at 1:43 PM
And kudos to my co-reporter @bxroberts.org who is masterful at understanding the complexity of federal data sets! 📊
But current and former FDA employees, as well as food safety experts said, these cuts and actions are undermining public health.
"It's only a matter of time before people die," said one expert.
"It's only a matter of time before people die," said one expert.
November 6, 2025 at 1:41 PM
But current and former FDA employees, as well as food safety experts said, these cuts and actions are undermining public health.
"It's only a matter of time before people die," said one expert.
"It's only a matter of time before people die," said one expert.
HHS, FDA and the White House refused to respond to any of ProPublica’s questions about the decrease in foreign food inspections or other recent actions.
"Responding to ProPublica is not considered a mission-critical activity," said HHS press secretary, citing the government shutdown.
"Responding to ProPublica is not considered a mission-critical activity," said HHS press secretary, citing the government shutdown.
November 6, 2025 at 1:40 PM
HHS, FDA and the White House refused to respond to any of ProPublica’s questions about the decrease in foreign food inspections or other recent actions.
"Responding to ProPublica is not considered a mission-critical activity," said HHS press secretary, citing the government shutdown.
"Responding to ProPublica is not considered a mission-critical activity," said HHS press secretary, citing the government shutdown.
These support staff cuts have incapacitated foreign inspections, as new burdens have shifted to investigators, current and former FDA staffers said.
As morale has collapsed across the FDA, many senior investigative officials with decades of experience also chose to resign or retire.
As morale has collapsed across the FDA, many senior investigative officials with decades of experience also chose to resign or retire.
November 6, 2025 at 1:36 PM
These support staff cuts have incapacitated foreign inspections, as new burdens have shifted to investigators, current and former FDA staffers said.
As morale has collapsed across the FDA, many senior investigative officials with decades of experience also chose to resign or retire.
As morale has collapsed across the FDA, many senior investigative officials with decades of experience also chose to resign or retire.
And in recent years, FDA investigators have uncovered numerous safety violations at foreign food facilities:
*Crawling insects.
*Pipes dripping into water tanks.
*Workers hauling dough in soiled buckets.
*Cracked conveyor belts.
*Fake testing data purporting to show food products were pathogen free.
*Crawling insects.
*Pipes dripping into water tanks.
*Workers hauling dough in soiled buckets.
*Cracked conveyor belts.
*Fake testing data purporting to show food products were pathogen free.
November 6, 2025 at 1:35 PM
And in recent years, FDA investigators have uncovered numerous safety violations at foreign food facilities:
*Crawling insects.
*Pipes dripping into water tanks.
*Workers hauling dough in soiled buckets.
*Cracked conveyor belts.
*Fake testing data purporting to show food products were pathogen free.
*Crawling insects.
*Pipes dripping into water tanks.
*Workers hauling dough in soiled buckets.
*Cracked conveyor belts.
*Fake testing data purporting to show food products were pathogen free.
We crunched the federal data and found the US is on track to have the *fewest inspections since 2011* (excluding pandemic years).
In recent years, the FDA has typically been able to conduct ~110 foreign food inspections each month, but in March, the number of inspections dropped almost in half.
In recent years, the FDA has typically been able to conduct ~110 foreign food inspections each month, but in March, the number of inspections dropped almost in half.
November 6, 2025 at 1:31 PM
We crunched the federal data and found the US is on track to have the *fewest inspections since 2011* (excluding pandemic years).
In recent years, the FDA has typically been able to conduct ~110 foreign food inspections each month, but in March, the number of inspections dropped almost in half.
In recent years, the FDA has typically been able to conduct ~110 foreign food inspections each month, but in March, the number of inspections dropped almost in half.
Until now, Social Security disability benefits have been easier to qualify for as a person reaches 50+.
Trump's new rules would end that. Under the new plan, millions, many in red states, could find it more difficult to qualify.
Important story from Eli Hager:
www.propublica.org/article/soci...
Trump's new rules would end that. Under the new plan, millions, many in red states, could find it more difficult to qualify.
Important story from Eli Hager:
www.propublica.org/article/soci...
October 31, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Until now, Social Security disability benefits have been easier to qualify for as a person reaches 50+.
Trump's new rules would end that. Under the new plan, millions, many in red states, could find it more difficult to qualify.
Important story from Eli Hager:
www.propublica.org/article/soci...
Trump's new rules would end that. Under the new plan, millions, many in red states, could find it more difficult to qualify.
Important story from Eli Hager:
www.propublica.org/article/soci...
👀 👀 👀 👀 "When the Center for Renewing America released a federal budget blueprint in late 2022, calling for nearly $9 trillion in cuts in the course of 10 years, the word 'woke' appeared 77 times across 103 pages." 👀 👀 👀 👀
October 17, 2025 at 2:58 PM
👀 👀 👀 👀 "When the Center for Renewing America released a federal budget blueprint in late 2022, calling for nearly $9 trillion in cuts in the course of 10 years, the word 'woke' appeared 77 times across 103 pages." 👀 👀 👀 👀
"Critically, there is no way to know the complete scope of these stops since the government itself does not track them."
An astonishing amount of work that went into shining a light on the details in this remarkable void.
An astonishing amount of work that went into shining a light on the details in this remarkable void.
October 16, 2025 at 6:59 PM
"Critically, there is no way to know the complete scope of these stops since the government itself does not track them."
An astonishing amount of work that went into shining a light on the details in this remarkable void.
An astonishing amount of work that went into shining a light on the details in this remarkable void.
🔎Come work with us🔍
We're looking for an ambitious investigative reporter @propublica.org based in the Midwest:
*Interested in journalists with experience in government + corporate accountability reporting.
*Based in/willing to move to IL, MI, MO, WI, OH, IN or MN.
Apply here: grnh.se/uzy0n5km6us
We're looking for an ambitious investigative reporter @propublica.org based in the Midwest:
*Interested in journalists with experience in government + corporate accountability reporting.
*Based in/willing to move to IL, MI, MO, WI, OH, IN or MN.
Apply here: grnh.se/uzy0n5km6us
September 16, 2025 at 8:43 PM
🔎Come work with us🔍
We're looking for an ambitious investigative reporter @propublica.org based in the Midwest:
*Interested in journalists with experience in government + corporate accountability reporting.
*Based in/willing to move to IL, MI, MO, WI, OH, IN or MN.
Apply here: grnh.se/uzy0n5km6us
We're looking for an ambitious investigative reporter @propublica.org based in the Midwest:
*Interested in journalists with experience in government + corporate accountability reporting.
*Based in/willing to move to IL, MI, MO, WI, OH, IN or MN.
Apply here: grnh.se/uzy0n5km6us
Come join us at @propublica.org! 🔎
We are looking for the next Ancil Payne Reporting Fellow to uncover powerful immigration investigative projects. It's a two-year fellowship based in DC (deadline is 10/13 9am ET).
Apply here: job-boards.greenhouse.io/propublica/j...
We are looking for the next Ancil Payne Reporting Fellow to uncover powerful immigration investigative projects. It's a two-year fellowship based in DC (deadline is 10/13 9am ET).
Apply here: job-boards.greenhouse.io/propublica/j...
September 15, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Come join us at @propublica.org! 🔎
We are looking for the next Ancil Payne Reporting Fellow to uncover powerful immigration investigative projects. It's a two-year fellowship based in DC (deadline is 10/13 9am ET).
Apply here: job-boards.greenhouse.io/propublica/j...
We are looking for the next Ancil Payne Reporting Fellow to uncover powerful immigration investigative projects. It's a two-year fellowship based in DC (deadline is 10/13 9am ET).
Apply here: job-boards.greenhouse.io/propublica/j...
You can read more about how we crunched the numbers: www.propublica.org/article/prop...
August 21, 2025 at 11:59 AM
You can read more about how we crunched the numbers: www.propublica.org/article/prop...
HHS did not dispute our findings and didn’t directly respond to questions about the consequences of the cuts of thousands of scientists, public health specialists and safety inspectors.
A spokesperson for the department said the idea that Kennedy is weakening public health is “dishonest.”
A spokesperson for the department said the idea that Kennedy is weakening public health is “dishonest.”
August 21, 2025 at 11:58 AM
HHS did not dispute our findings and didn’t directly respond to questions about the consequences of the cuts of thousands of scientists, public health specialists and safety inspectors.
A spokesperson for the department said the idea that Kennedy is weakening public health is “dishonest.”
A spokesperson for the department said the idea that Kennedy is weakening public health is “dishonest.”
Former health secretary Xavier Becerra, who served under Biden, called the cuts reckless.
“Public health isn’t a luxury—it’s a core function of government," he told us. "This hollowing out of expertise could leave us dangerously exposed."
“Public health isn’t a luxury—it’s a core function of government," he told us. "This hollowing out of expertise could leave us dangerously exposed."
August 21, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Former health secretary Xavier Becerra, who served under Biden, called the cuts reckless.
“Public health isn’t a luxury—it’s a core function of government," he told us. "This hollowing out of expertise could leave us dangerously exposed."
“Public health isn’t a luxury—it’s a core function of government," he told us. "This hollowing out of expertise could leave us dangerously exposed."
And at the National Institutes of Health, 16% of staff have been lost.
At three NIH institutes focused on mental health, aging and infectious disease, more than 30% of workers in divisions responsible for approving and dispatching grant money have been cut, leading to substantial delays in payouts.
At three NIH institutes focused on mental health, aging and infectious disease, more than 30% of workers in divisions responsible for approving and dispatching grant money have been cut, leading to substantial delays in payouts.
August 21, 2025 at 11:55 AM
And at the National Institutes of Health, 16% of staff have been lost.
At three NIH institutes focused on mental health, aging and infectious disease, more than 30% of workers in divisions responsible for approving and dispatching grant money have been cut, leading to substantial delays in payouts.
At three NIH institutes focused on mental health, aging and infectious disease, more than 30% of workers in divisions responsible for approving and dispatching grant money have been cut, leading to substantial delays in payouts.
Even though RFK Jr said he would end the chronic disease epidemic, Kennedy-approved cuts slashed the staff of the CDC’s chronic disease center by about 20%.
Nearly half of those lost were scientists and public health workers.
Nearly half of those lost were scientists and public health workers.
August 21, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Even though RFK Jr said he would end the chronic disease epidemic, Kennedy-approved cuts slashed the staff of the CDC’s chronic disease center by about 20%.
Nearly half of those lost were scientists and public health workers.
Nearly half of those lost were scientists and public health workers.
And what about at the CDC?
Our analysis found that more than 3,000 workers at the CDC have been lost so far.
While RFK Jr claimed in a Senate hearing last May that HHS had not fired any “working scientists," we found **a third of lost CDC staffers worked as scientists or in health care roles.**
Our analysis found that more than 3,000 workers at the CDC have been lost so far.
While RFK Jr claimed in a Senate hearing last May that HHS had not fired any “working scientists," we found **a third of lost CDC staffers worked as scientists or in health care roles.**
August 21, 2025 at 11:51 AM
And what about at the CDC?
Our analysis found that more than 3,000 workers at the CDC have been lost so far.
While RFK Jr claimed in a Senate hearing last May that HHS had not fired any “working scientists," we found **a third of lost CDC staffers worked as scientists or in health care roles.**
Our analysis found that more than 3,000 workers at the CDC have been lost so far.
While RFK Jr claimed in a Senate hearing last May that HHS had not fired any “working scientists," we found **a third of lost CDC staffers worked as scientists or in health care roles.**
The Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, or CBER, was one of the hardest hit divisions.
It ensures the safety and quality of biological products for human use, like red blood cells, immunotherapy, and vaccines.
Since January, the center has lost about 500 people, or 26% of its workforce.
It ensures the safety and quality of biological products for human use, like red blood cells, immunotherapy, and vaccines.
Since January, the center has lost about 500 people, or 26% of its workforce.
August 21, 2025 at 11:49 AM
The Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, or CBER, was one of the hardest hit divisions.
It ensures the safety and quality of biological products for human use, like red blood cells, immunotherapy, and vaccines.
Since January, the center has lost about 500 people, or 26% of its workforce.
It ensures the safety and quality of biological products for human use, like red blood cells, immunotherapy, and vaccines.
Since January, the center has lost about 500 people, or 26% of its workforce.
So just how deep were these cuts?
Let's break it down.
The FDA, the agency responsible for regulating food, drugs and vaccines, has lost 21% of workers so far, including over 900 scientists and health experts since January, along with over 500 regulators, investigators and compliance workers.
Let's break it down.
The FDA, the agency responsible for regulating food, drugs and vaccines, has lost 21% of workers so far, including over 900 scientists and health experts since January, along with over 500 regulators, investigators and compliance workers.
August 21, 2025 at 11:48 AM
So just how deep were these cuts?
Let's break it down.
The FDA, the agency responsible for regulating food, drugs and vaccines, has lost 21% of workers so far, including over 900 scientists and health experts since January, along with over 500 regulators, investigators and compliance workers.
Let's break it down.
The FDA, the agency responsible for regulating food, drugs and vaccines, has lost 21% of workers so far, including over 900 scientists and health experts since January, along with over 500 regulators, investigators and compliance workers.
We spoke with more than 3 dozen former and current federal workers and found the cuts have left agencies struggling to perform basic functions:
*FDA inspectors are having to buy supplies on their own dime.
*Labs can't buy mice to test vaccines.
*Scientists can't buy blood to feed lab mosquitos.
*FDA inspectors are having to buy supplies on their own dime.
*Labs can't buy mice to test vaccines.
*Scientists can't buy blood to feed lab mosquitos.
August 21, 2025 at 11:44 AM
We spoke with more than 3 dozen former and current federal workers and found the cuts have left agencies struggling to perform basic functions:
*FDA inspectors are having to buy supplies on their own dime.
*Labs can't buy mice to test vaccines.
*Scientists can't buy blood to feed lab mosquitos.
*FDA inspectors are having to buy supplies on their own dime.
*Labs can't buy mice to test vaccines.
*Scientists can't buy blood to feed lab mosquitos.
More than 20,500 workers have left or been pushed out of federal health agencies, our analysis found.
Staffers say the cuts will leave their agencies less equipped to conduct studies, perform inspections and combat deadly outbreaks.
Staffers say the cuts will leave their agencies less equipped to conduct studies, perform inspections and combat deadly outbreaks.
August 21, 2025 at 11:41 AM
More than 20,500 workers have left or been pushed out of federal health agencies, our analysis found.
Staffers say the cuts will leave their agencies less equipped to conduct studies, perform inspections and combat deadly outbreaks.
Staffers say the cuts will leave their agencies less equipped to conduct studies, perform inspections and combat deadly outbreaks.
NEW: In March, the Trump administration announced a massive purge of workers at the nation's health agencies.
We asked them how many workers were laid off, pushed out or left.
They refused to give us numbers.
So we conducted our own analysis... 🧵
projects.propublica.org/federal-heal...
We asked them how many workers were laid off, pushed out or left.
They refused to give us numbers.
So we conducted our own analysis... 🧵
projects.propublica.org/federal-heal...
August 21, 2025 at 11:40 AM
NEW: In March, the Trump administration announced a massive purge of workers at the nation's health agencies.
We asked them how many workers were laid off, pushed out or left.
They refused to give us numbers.
So we conducted our own analysis... 🧵
projects.propublica.org/federal-heal...
We asked them how many workers were laid off, pushed out or left.
They refused to give us numbers.
So we conducted our own analysis... 🧵
projects.propublica.org/federal-heal...
You can also reach out to me directly on Signal or email:
Email: annie.waldman@propublica.org
Signal: 347-549-0332
Email: annie.waldman@propublica.org
Signal: 347-549-0332
July 8, 2025 at 8:13 PM
You can also reach out to me directly on Signal or email:
Email: annie.waldman@propublica.org
Signal: 347-549-0332
Email: annie.waldman@propublica.org
Signal: 347-549-0332
Following the ruling, the Trump administration defended the grant terminations, and a HHS spokesperson said it was "exploring all legal options, including filing an appeal and moving to stay the order."
June 17, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Following the ruling, the Trump administration defended the grant terminations, and a HHS spokesperson said it was "exploring all legal options, including filing an appeal and moving to stay the order."
What the lawsuits challenging the NIH grant terminations have shown is just how involved DOGE was.
As we previously revealed, DOGE provided lists of grants to terminate, as well as letter templates and boilerplate language.
A big issue in the hearing today.
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
As we previously revealed, DOGE provided lists of grants to terminate, as well as letter templates and boilerplate language.
A big issue in the hearing today.
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
June 16, 2025 at 3:11 PM
What the lawsuits challenging the NIH grant terminations have shown is just how involved DOGE was.
As we previously revealed, DOGE provided lists of grants to terminate, as well as letter templates and boilerplate language.
A big issue in the hearing today.
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
As we previously revealed, DOGE provided lists of grants to terminate, as well as letter templates and boilerplate language.
A big issue in the hearing today.
www.propublica.org/article/trum...