The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reaching out to recently fired scientists, asking them to return, including those involved in reviewing Elon Musk’s Neuralink, multiple sources told Reuters. The agency aims to rehire around 300 staff following last week’s abrupt terminations under President Donald Trump’s directive to cut federal employees.
Musk, who has invested over $250 million to support Trump, has been instrumental in reducing federal jobs through the Department of Government Efficiency, impacting thousands, including FDA staff. It remains unclear who authorized both the firings and rehirings.
At least 11 employees from the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, responsible for medical device reviews, have received return offers. However, not all former Neuralink reviewers are confirmed to be among them. The FDA initially denied Neuralink’s clinical trials due to safety risks but later approved them.
The White House declined to comment, directing inquiries to the federal health department.
The mass firings affected over 1,000 FDA employees, including approximately 20 from the neurological and physical medicine devices office. Some fired scientists are hesitant to return, citing instability and lack of competitive compensation compared to the private sector.
AdvaMed CEO Scott Whitaker emphasized that reinstating experts would ensure a more efficient FDA review process. Additionally, many eliminated positions were funded by private fees rather than taxpayer money, raising concerns over Trump’s cost-cutting justification.
Some employees who received exemplary performance rankings before their dismissal were told they were terminated due to inadequate performance. The Trump administration has defended the move as necessary for reducing government waste.