Trump administration reverses layoffs for some CDC staff

The Trump administration on Saturday reversed some layoffs at the CDC after hundreds of scientists received “incorrect notifications” that they were laid off during the government shutdown, according to an official familiar with the matter.

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration on Saturday reversed some layoffs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention after hundreds of scientists received “incorrect notifications” that they were laid off during the government shutdown, according to an official familiar with the matter.

“The employees who received incorrect notifications were never separated from the agency and have all been notified that they are not subject to the reduction in force,” the official told NBC News. “This was due to a glitch in the system.”

The reversed layoffs, first reported by The New York Times, come just after the administration moved to lay off thousands of federal workers during the government shutdown, prompting backlash from critics who argue the layoffs are illegal.

The reduction-in-force moves are being challenged in court and mark the latest fallout from the government shutdown fight, which has stretched into its second week as lawmakers show no signs of moving closer to a deal.

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