Donald Trump has ordered a communications blackout at America's federal health agencies

Amid a wave of executive orders, the Trump administration has instructed federal health agencies to temporarily halt external communications, including scientific reports, website updates, and public health advisories, according to sources within the agencies.

These directives were initially issued Tuesday to staff at various U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The Washington Post first reported the story.

The directive reportedly came without prior notice and lacked clear guidelines on its scope, according to agency insiders who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to disclose the information.

In a follow-up memo obtained by CNN on Wednesday, Acting Health Secretary Dr. Dorothy Fink elaborated on the directive, noting that it would remain in effect until February 1. The memo stated that all documents and communications—such as regulations, guidance, notices, social media posts, press releases, and website updates—must undergo review and approval by a presidential appointee before being released. Employees were also instructed to seek approval before participating in public speaking engagements or corresponding with members of Congress or governors.

“As the new Administration develops its approach to federal policy and public communications, it is critical that the President’s appointees and designees review and approve any regulations, guidance documents, and public communications (including social media),” Fink wrote in the memo.

The directive also required employees to flag any communications or documents that should be exempt, either due to legal obligations or because they are critical to public health or safety. For example, on Wednesday morning, the FDA issued a communication about a safety warning for the multiple sclerosis drug glatiramer acetate (marketed under brand names like Copaxone), which can cause a “rare but serious allergic reaction.”

While it is not unusual for a new administration to pause public communications to review policies, the scope of this directive has raised concerns. A source familiar with the matter noted that similar restrictions were not implemented during the transitions of the previous two administrations. Employees reportedly fear for their jobs amid the heightened restrictions.

America’s health agencies, including the CDC, FDA, and NIH, play a vital role in disseminating critical health information, such as food recall alerts, drug and medical device safety updates, and information on emerging public health threats. Recently, these agencies have been closely monitoring the spread of H5N1 bird flu among poultry, dairy cattle, and individuals who work with these animals.

“Not a day goes by when the CDC isn’t tracking a potential threat to our health,” Dr. Richard Besser, president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and former acting director of the CDC, said in a statement. “Right now, they’re providing updates on bird flu in animals and humans. They alert us to outbreaks related to food safety and global disease threats that could affect us here or while traveling. Cutting off CDC communications puts public health at risk and hinders our healthcare workers from doing their jobs. I urge the administration to lift this pause immediately.”