Federal employees face perplexing restrictions amid sweeping leadership changes in the nation's top health agency.
According to Reuters, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration scientists have received a directive to stop using common words like "woman," "disabled," and "elderly" in external communications, following a circulated list of prohibited terms that the White House claims misinterpreted President Donald Trump's executive order.
The controversial list, labeled "Prohibited words," has been shared through official work channels since last week, creating confusion among FDA staff members who remain uncertain about its origins and purpose. Two FDA scientists, speaking anonymously due to concerns about professional consequences, revealed the existence of this directive that includes more than two dozen restricted terms.
The White House spokesperson addressed the situation by acknowledging that most words on the FDA list should not have been restricted. However, they confirmed that certain terms related to gender and diversity must be prohibited to comply with Trump's executive order against "gender ideology." These terms include gender, inclusion, identity, diversity, inter, intersex, equity, equitable, transgender, and trans.
The directive's impact extends beyond the FDA, affecting other federal health agencies. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has already removed public health information, including HIV datasets, and withdrawn research papers from consideration in scientific journals for review by Trump appointees.
Public health experts have expressed serious concerns about these restrictions, warning that eliminating specific terminology could compromise their ability to address various medical needs effectively, particularly in areas such as HIV and sexually transmitted diseases.
One FDA scientist who received the list expressed their frustration, stating:
I don't understand why we can't use a word like 'woman.' The words on the list would make it almost impossible to do our jobs.
The list's circulation appears to have originated within the Center for Devices and Radiological Health, which employs over 2,000 workers responsible for ensuring medical device safety and efficacy.
Scientists worry that these communication restrictions, combined with recent staff dismissals, will slow down device review processes and hamper their ability to evaluate safety concerns before public release.
The situation has been further complicated by extensive personnel changes. The White House confirmed that more than 1,000 FDA employees have been dismissed across various divisions, representing a significant reduction in the agency's workforce of approximately 20,000 people. These dismissals are part of broader federal agency layoffs overseen by the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency.
The FDA's official stance remains unclear, with their spokesperson declining to comment on the White House's position regarding prohibited words while maintaining that no official list of banned terms exists. This apparent disconnect between different levels of authority has created additional uncertainty for agency employees.
The restrictions particularly affect the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health, where scientists fear that limitations on their communication abilities could compromise public safety. The combination of staff reductions and communication constraints raises questions about the agency's capacity to maintain its regulatory effectiveness.
These developments represent significant changes in how federal health agencies operate and communicate with the public. The situation continues to evolve as agency workers navigate new restrictions while attempting to fulfill their responsibilities in public health and safety.
