Imagine pouring your life into a job that saves people—tracking deadly outbreaks, rushing organs to the dying, keeping moms and babies alive—only to get a pink slip in the mail because a new boss wants to “trim fat.” That’s the gut punch hundreds of federal health workers felt this month when the Trump administration swung the ax, firing them from roles that shield Americans from harm. ProPublica’s latest dive into this mess uncovers a chilling reality: these weren’t desk jockeys pushing paper—they were the backbone of public health, and their sudden exit could leave gaping holes in a system already on its knees. Let’s unpack what’s happening, who’s affected, and why this shakeup might cost more than it saves.