FIRED
BUT FIGHTING

A coalition of fired HHS employees and allies.

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In 2025, thousands of HHS employees were abruptly terminated and RIF’d under the guise of performance management and workforce reduction. Fired But Fighting is a network of current and former HHS professionals, including scientists, communicators, policy analysts, and public health experts, who are standing together to demand accountability and justice. We are speaking out not just for ourselves, but for the future of public service and the protection of public health.

Breaking News and Announcements

  • The National Public Health Coalition is born! The Fired But Fighting team has incorporated under the name National Public Health Coalition. We are currently in the process of filing for nonprofit status. Keep an eye out for emails from @nationalphc.org and news about this exciting new chapter. 

  • Introducing CDC Saves Lives Lanyards: You asked and we answered. Green lanyards are now available. Outside print: “CDC Saves Lives.” Inside print: “Resist and Persist.” In addition to helping us fight the good fight, 10% of funds raised go to CDC Mutual Aid.

  • NIH Bethesda Declaration Signers Get Sit-Down with NIH Director Jayanta Bhattacharya: Congratulations to our NIH colleagues.  It’s working! Let’s. Keep. Fighting. 💪💪💪 Rallying for Science: NIH Staff and Alumni Unite Behind Bethesda Declaration

  • Budgetary win for feds - Thanks to the Byrd Rule, the Senate parliamentarian ruled that most of the proposals aimed at cutting federal employees’ retirement benefits and civil service protections were against Senate policy and have been stripped from the reconciliation package. Read more>>

  • Support the CDC Mutual Aid fund by making a tax-deductible donation on the group’s new Zeffy fundraising page.

  • Fired But Fighting has released a comprehensive dashboard detailing programs and grants that will be disrupted by the proposed budget cuts in FY26. View the dashboard.

Ways to Get Involved

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Support the cause! Help us pay for supplies and services

Volunteer your time to help us fight the good fight.

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Sign up for the newsletter and download past issues.

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Join us in person at upcoming rallies and (un) happy hours.

Fired But Fighting in the Media