FDA Asks Fired Scientists To Return, Including Those Reviewing Neuralink

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reaching out to recently dismissed scientists, asking them to return to their jobs, including employees involved in reviewing Elon Musk’s brain implant company, Neuralink, Reuters reported.

The FDA previously rejected Neuralink’s request to begin clinical trials in 2023 due to safety concerns but later granted approval, and trials are currently underway. I Photo: Neuralink X

According to sources familiar with the matter, the FDA aims to rehire around 300 employees after President Donald Trump’s abrupt decision last week to fire thousands of agency staff responsible for reviewing drugs, food safety, medical devices, and tobacco.

Elon Musk, who oversees Neuralink and contributed over $277 million to support Trump’s reelection, has been leading government downsizing efforts through his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has also targeted FDA employees.

The FDA previously rejected Neuralink’s request to begin clinical trials in 2023 due to safety concerns but later granted approval, and trials are currently underway. It remains unclear who ordered both the mass layoffs and the subsequent rehiring effort.

At least 11 employees from the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health—responsible for medical device approvals—have received calls inviting them to return to work, Reuters sources said.

Some sources indicated that outreach efforts would continue through the weekend.

If all 300 rehired scientists return, they would represent less than one-third of the estimated 1,000 FDA employees dismissed The White House confirmed that over 1,000 FDA staffers had been fired but did not comment on the rehiring initiative.