Delivered on Tuesday, January 21, the day after President Trump was inaugurated, federal public health agencies within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) received orders from the new administration to pause all external communications until further notice. Affected organizations include the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which together are responsible for ensuring the safety of most of the U.S. food supply and responding to foodborne illness outbreaks.
According to a memo obtained by CNN and issued by Acting Secretary of HHS, Dorothy Fink, M.D., the directive will be in effect until February 1, 2025. The memo told HHS agency employees that all external documents and communications—including regulations, guidance, notices, social media, website updates, and press releases—must be reviewed and approved by a presidential appointee before issuing them. Additionally, HHS employees are not allowed to participate in public speaking engagements without approval.
HHS agency employees must also coordinate with presidential appointees before issuing correspondence to members of Congress or governors.
By first notifying superiors, the directive allows for exemption of documents or communications that are required to be issued by law or because they are critical to protecting health or safety.
