In a blunder that has alarmed lawmakers and health experts, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed Tuesday that it accidentally fired several employees crucial to the federal government’s response to the H5N1 avian flu outbreak. The agency is now scrambling to reverse the terminations, which come amid the Trump administration’s sweeping efforts to shrink the federal workforce.
“Although several positions supporting [bird flu efforts] were notified of their terminations over the weekend, we are working to swiftly rectify the situation and rescind those letters,” a USDA spokesperson said in a statement.
The error is the latest fallout from mass layoffs orchestrated by the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a newly created office led by tech billionaire Elon Musk. The agency, which has been criticized for its lack of government experience, has been aggressively reducing the federal workforce in recent weeks.
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Lawmakers, Experts Raise Concerns Over USDA Layoffs
The accidental firings have raised red flags among Republican lawmakers, who worry the cuts could jeopardize efforts to contain the highly pathogenic avian influenza.
“They need to be more cautious,” said Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), a member of the House Agriculture Committee. “There’s an old saying, ‘measure twice, cut once.’ Well, they are measuring once and having to cut twice.”
The layoffs have already impacted the USDA’s National Animal Health Laboratory Network, which plays a critical role in avian flu research. Keith Poulsen, director of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, expressed concerns over the terminations.
“It’s creating a lot of problems,” he said.
The crisis comes as the bird flu outbreak continues to devastate poultry flocks, sending egg prices soaring. The USDA reported that 151 confirmed flocks have been affected, totaling 23 million birds. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also confirmed 68 human cases of H5N1 in the U.S.
Trump Administration’s Government Layoffs Face Scrutiny
The bird flu firings are just one example of the chaos surrounding the Trump administration’s aggressive efforts to cut government jobs. The administration recently attempted to reinstate nuclear safety employees after mistakenly firing them but struggled to locate them due to outdated contact information.
The USDA layoffs have left many lawmakers frustrated, particularly Republicans on the House Agriculture Committee, who feel they have received little guidance from the administration. Committee Chair Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-Pa.) acknowledged the growing concerns but maintained overall support for the administration’s downsizing efforts.
“With Secretary Rollins now confirmed, we anticipate further clarity on the status of this review across USDA mission areas,” Thompson said.
Egg Prices Soar as Public Expresses Frustration
The impact of the firings is being felt beyond Washington. Egg prices, which were already high, have continued to climb, leading to mounting frustration among consumers. House Republicans say they are hearing complaints from constituents struggling with the increased costs.
Additionally, some Republicans have voiced concerns about cuts to USDA programs that work with poultry farmers to mitigate risks near airports, which could impact aviation safety.
Beyond the USDA, broader funding cuts across federal agencies—including restrictions on National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants—are raising concerns among infectious disease researchers and local health officials.
As the Trump administration presses forward with its workforce reductions, government agencies now face the challenge of managing unintended consequences that could have lasting impacts on public health and food security.
