Issue 42

Goodbye to the dumpster fire that was 2025

Welcome to the New Year’s Eve edition of Fired But Fighting, a newsletter for illegally terminated, improperly RIF’d, chaotically reinstated, and current HHS staff. In this final edition of 2025, the newsletter team would like to share a few links to recap this chaotic year.

Fired But Fighting: Our Year in Review | Instagram

20 Public Health Wins in 2025 | Your Local Epidemiologist 

What Public Health Won and Lost in 2025 | Bloomberg School 

The Public Health Heroes of 2025 | The Nation 

Good news you may have missed in 2025 | CBS Sunday Morning (Youtube)

HOLIDAY SHOPPING

Looking for the perfect gift for a friend (or yourself)? Need to blow all that holiday cash? Be sure to shop the Fired But Fighting store.

CDC MUTUAL AID

❄️⛄❄️ Happy Holidays from the CDC Mutual Aid Network ❄️⛄❄️

» As of this week, we have gifted >$206,000 to 167 CDCers (FTEs, ORISE, and contractors) and their families who lost their income this year. You can find stories from some of the folks we have been fortunate enough to assist this year at www.cdcresourceportal.org/stories. One recipient wrote to us: "Your team's compassion gave me the breath I needed to keep going.”

» In total, we have raised more than $215,000 this year, 86% of our $250,000 goal for 2025. We have one last ask of you this year. Please consider donating (www.cdcresourceportal.org/donate) to help us reach our goal by January 31. $50 can help cover needed prescriptions, $75 can help pay the electrical or water bill for the month, and $100+ can make a difference towards buying groceries or paying the rent.

» Happy New Year! CDC Saves Lives!

SPOON OF THE WEEK

» This week’s Spoon of the Week goes to all of YOU - the Fired But Fighting newsletter readers, supporters and volunteers. With your support, we published 42 newsletters this year. Congratulations to all of us - we survived 2025. 

» To submit a spoon (e.g., spooning pets, spoon tattoos, your favorite spoon) for a future newsletter, email info@firedbutfighting.org using “spoon of the week submission” in the subject line.

Wishing all y’all a resilient 2026 🤞