Trump targets FDA with sweeping overhaul led by Musk and RFK Jr., threatening public health protections

FDA faces radical changes under Trump, risking public health and regulatory stability.

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Image Credit: Alex Brandon/AP

Quick summary

• Trump reinstates the “Schedule F” order, threatening federal employees’ job security and increasing political influence over regulatory decisions.

• Robert F. Kennedy Jr., nominee for HHS Secretary, vows to dismantle FDA nutrition departments and challenges vaccine safety, raising alarm among health experts.

• The FDA faces potential pressure to ban medical abortion pills and loosen regulations on dietary supplements, jeopardizing public health.

• Trump’s first week included 70 executive orders, pausing federal hiring, freezing regulations, and halting HHS communications.

• Elon Musk leads the newly created Department of Government Efficiency, aiming to “modernize” agencies but potentially gutting regulatory frameworks.

• Experts warn Trump’s policies could hinder FDA oversight of food, drugs, and medical devices, endangering millions of Americans.

• Trump’s alignment with the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 signals a broader agenda to weaken federal regulatory bodies.

President Donald Trump’s second term is marked by a sweeping anti-regulatory agenda that threatens to dismantle federal agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Bolstered by the Heritage Foundation’s “Project 2025” blueprint, Trump’s administration has already issued a flurry of executive orders aimed at weakening regulatory safeguards. With the FDA responsible for drug safety, food regulation, and medical device approvals, these changes could have grave consequences for public health in the United States.

One of Trump’s first executive orders reinstated the “Schedule F” classification, which reclassifies thousands of federal employees as political hires, effectively stripping them of longstanding protections. This move has sparked widespread fear among FDA employees and public health experts.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s nominee for Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary, has made it clear he intends to overhaul the FDA, stating, “If you work for the FDA and are part of this corrupt system, I have two messages for you: 1. Preserve your records, and 2. Pack your bags.” FDA Commissioner Robert Califf warned that “not having experts… has been a case for the demise of that society.” Experts fear this strategy could erode scientific integrity, leaving the FDA vulnerable to political pressure and corporate influence.

Cheryl Monroe, an FDA chemist, voiced concerns about the agency’s ability to uphold its mission under such conditions. “We need people in place based on merit and professionalism, not on the political situation,” she said. “Or else this can cost lives.”

Trump’s administration has signaled its intent to target FDA policies on medical abortion pills, particularly mifepristone. Project 2025 calls for the FDA to ban telemedicine prescriptions and mail distribution of the drug, with the ultimate goal of withdrawing its approval entirely. This move could severely limit access to abortion care, particularly in states with restrictive abortion laws.

The administration’s deregulatory agenda extends beyond reproductive healthcare. During Trump’s first term, the FDA significantly reduced enforcement actions, including issuing fewer warning letters. The Natural Resources Defense Council linked these rollbacks to public health crises, such as the 2018 E. coli outbreak tied to manure-contaminated irrigation water.

Kennedy’s controversial public health views further compound concerns. He has falsely claimed that vaccines are unsafe and advocated for unpasteurized milk despite FDA warnings about its risks. While Kennedy’s proposals to address ultra-processed foods and food additives are grounded in legitimate health concerns, they are at odds with the Republican Party’s anti-regulatory stance.

Trump’s approach aligns with the Heritage Foundation’s decades-long campaign to dismantle federal regulatory agencies. Project 2025 calls for an expansive rollback of government oversight, framing regulations as obstacles to economic growth. This agenda includes proposals to weaken the FDA’s ability to enforce food safety standards and regulate dietary supplements, potentially leaving consumers vulnerable to harmful products.

Historically, the Heritage Foundation’s mandates have focused on cutting government size and influence. However, Project 2025 introduces a more ideological tone, targeting issues like gender identity, transgender rights, and “wokeness.” This shift reflects a broader conservative strategy to reshape the federal government’s role in society.

The FDA’s regulatory rollbacks could disproportionately impact marginalized communities, who often face higher exposure to unsafe products and limited access to healthcare. The administration’s rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives further exacerbates these disparities by undermining efforts to address systemic biases in healthcare.

Priyanka Jain, CEO of women’s health research startup Evvy, highlighted the persistent gaps in healthcare equity. “Healthcare has never been designed for women,” she said. “The services have never prioritized us. Research budgets have never prioritized us. Reimbursements never prioritized us.”

Trump’s actions during his first weeks in office reveal a clear intent to weaken the FDA’s regulatory power and politicize its operations. Experts warn that this approach could lead to widespread public health crises, as unsafe food and drugs enter the market unchecked.

Peter Lurie, president of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, expressed concerns about the administration’s disregard for science-based policymaking. “The positions that [Kennedy] has taken… are just not consistent with science,” Lurie said, pointing to Kennedy’s anti-vaccine rhetoric and support for unpasteurized milk. “This is not a person who knows how to make decisions in a thoughtful and evidence-based way.”

The FDA’s ability to protect public health depends on its independence and commitment to scientific integrity. Without these safeguards, millions of Americans could face heightened risks from unsafe drugs, contaminated food, and a politicized healthcare system. As Trump’s administration continues its push to “dismantle the administrative state,” the stakes for public health have never been higher.

For resources for civil servants on Trump’s 2025 Schedule F executive order, follow Protect Democracy.

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