Trump Admin Restores 9/11 Survivors’ Program Staff After HHS Cuts Backlash

The Trump administration has reinstated all staff members of the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP), a vital federal initiative supporting 9/11 survivors, after a controversial reduction in force at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The move comes after weeks of bipartisan backlash and political pressure, highlighting the delicate balance between government efficiency and honoring national heroes.

In mid-February, the administration announced a 10% workforce cut at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which impacted 16 WTCHP staffers. The cuts, part of Trump’s broader push to streamline federal operations, sparked outrage from lawmakers like New York’s Rep. Mike Lawler and Sen. Chuck Schumer, who called the layoffs a betrayal of 9/11 first responders. Schumer described the situation as “political chaos” undermining the healthcare of heroes.

By early April, the administration reversed course, reinstating WTCHP Administrator Dr. John Howard and, as of this week, all affected staff—except one who accepted a resignation buyout. Howard praised the decision, emphasizing the program’s commitment to serving over 133,000 responders and survivors affected by the 9/11 attacks in New York, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Established under the 2010 James Zadroga Act, the WTCHP ensures zero out-of-pocket healthcare costs for those exposed to toxic contaminants during the attacks. Extended until 2090, it remains a lifeline for those battling health complications from that tragic day. While the reinstatements are a win, the episode exposes the risks of broad bureaucratic cuts clashing with sacred obligations.