BREAKING NEWS

» *surprised Pikachu face* I wonder what the reason could possibly be. RFK Jr., states at odds over cause of Obamacare’s enrollment declines | Politico

» Who’s in for this one? US CDC seeks staff for Ebola screening as outbreak response expands | Reuters

» For real though, please share with clinicians. CDC to host webinar for clinicians on managing Ebola | American Hospital Association

» 😤HHS shrinks cash awards for top performers, shifting funds to bonuses with less clear criteria | Federal News Network

» Something to keep an eye on. Is Palantir Under Contract to Surveil the Federal Workforce? | Jacobin

» More attacks from this ridiculous administration. Families weigh moves with gender-affirming care access under assault in US | Reuters

» 'This is probably illegal': CDC quietly erases mpox guidance tied to Pride events | Advocate

Welcome to the 63rd issue of Fired But Fighting, a newsletter for illegally terminated, improperly RIF’d, chaotically reinstated, and current HHS staff. Read on for judicial and advocacy updates, links to media coverage, calls to action, tips, and resources.

Please consider supporting us by making a donation, grabbing some FBF merch (www.firedbutfighting.org/shop), or signing up to volunteer. You can also check out the FBF Talent Marketplace to support a fired fed.

Visit www.firedbutfighting.org/newsletter-library to read this and previous issues of the newsletter on the web.

LEGAL UPDATES

» The FBF Legal Team is taking off the week of Memorial Day. The next legal update will be on June 3. You can read the most recent legal update here.

CALLS TO ACTION

» COCA Call Thursday May 28, 2026, 2-3pm EST What Clinicians Should Know about Ebola Bundibugyo Virus | CDC

» Seven Days in June: A National Call to Elevate Health as a Governing Priority June 1-7, 2026. See EVENTS below.

» NPHC has a Substack. You’re going to love it. Subscribe here: National PHC | Substack

» Volunteer with Fired But Fighting: Looking for ways to channel your rage? Sign up to volunteer.

EVENTS

Unhappy hour has been postponed — **(Un) Happy Hour Postponed**

» The (Un) Happy Hour at Lost Druid Brewery and Distillery for this week has been postponed. Keep an eye out for the next event.

**Seven Days in June: Weekly CDC Support Rally**

» On **Tuesday** **June 2 from 6-7:30pm**, join NPHC and CDC Alumni and Friends for a special edition of our weekly support rally for the Seven Days in June. Stand with us across the street from CDC to show your support for current CDC-ers and make your voice heard about the impacts of health cuts.

**Seven Days in June: Candlelight Vigil**

» On **Friday** **June 5 from 7-9pm**, join a coalition of Atlanta area organizers including: US People Living with HIV Caucus, PrEP4ALL, Amplify Georgia Collaborative, SisterLove Inc, National Public Health Coalition, Indivisible Georgia Coalition, Georgia Voices United, 50501 Georgia, Atlanta Pride, Stand Up for Science, and more as we reflect, remember, and rage for all that has been lost.

Juneteenth Day of Service with Fired But Fighting — **Juneteenth Day of Service**

» Join Fired But Fighting for a Juneteenth day of service at the Atlanta History Center on **Friday June 19 from 8:30am-12:30pm**. Volunteer opportunities include greeting, wayfinding, gardening, and children’s activities.

» Don’t forget to keep an eye on FBF’s events page for updates between newsletters.

» Did you know FBF has a community calendar? Check it out for career development and other events. Have an event you want listed? Send a calendar invitation to info@firedbutfighting.org.

UNION CORNER

» If you’re on the Reemployment Priority List (RPL) after the CDC RIF, consider applying for open positions where you meet the job series and grade, even if the specialized experience described doesn’t sound like a perfect match. CDC has announced about 900 vacancies, and many are being filled using shared certificates. If you apply and make the certificate, another CDC office may be able to pull that list later and select you based on your experience. Applying to an RPL-open announcement does not remove you from the RPL.

» AFGE Local 2883 is tracking these job announcements and needs RPL candidates to complete our short survey about the application process so we can help ensure the RPL is being used as the priority placement program it was meant to be.

» Thank you to those who attended the recent webinars on framing reasonable accommodation requests! You can access the recording of the sessions in your member portal on our AFGE Local 2883 website in the Meeting Minutes section.

» If you have RA-specific questions or would like to help us support your colleagues in the disability community, please email us at ra@afge2883ga.org.

» If you’re not already a member, sign up to join the fight now. As a reminder, all job series (including supervisors) are eligible to join. The only exception is commissioned corps officers. https://join.afge.org/L2883

CDC MUTUAL AID

» Success Story Spotlight: Mike’s Journey

After losing his CDC position during the RIF while recovering from a kidney transplant, Mike faced overwhelming financial and emotional strain. Support from the CDC Mutual Aid Fund provided stability during his recovery and reminded him that hardship never diminishes a lifetime of service. Read his full story.

» Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Smash for a Cause Pickleball Social Benefit. Your energy, generosity, and good sportsmanship made the morning a true celebration of community. We’re especially grateful to Denise Koo for providing coaching to beginners and to ITP Training Academy for hosting and donating a portion of food and beverage sales. Together, you helped raise meaningful support for CDC Mutual Aid and the colleagues who rely on it during moments of hardship.

» Follow CDC Mutual Aid Network on social media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cdc-mutual-aid-network
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/cdcmutualaid.bsky.social

THE WEEKLY NEEDLE

» The Weekly Needle is America’s most trusted news source for all things health and medicine. Enjoy our most popular story from last week:

» “The Weekly Needle Explains: Ebola” The Weekly Needle has a team of crack scientists who don’t use their knowledge to educate and inform the public about Ebola

» Please consider becoming a subscriber by following the link here. Interested in contributing? Email us at theweeklyneedle@proton.me.

SPOON OF THE WEEK

» This week’s spoon is Dr. Katie Schenk, an epidemiologist, public health scientist, fellow spoon, and author of The Public Health Workforce is Not Okay Substack. While she started the page in 2022, most recently she has been using her platform to lift up the voices of colleagues in the field. In her words, “In this space, we share our stories from the frontlines of public health, including reflections on policy shifts, RIFs, resilience, and what it really takes to stay in this field. Together, we're writing the story of what public health is and what it might become.”

» To submit a spoon for a future newsletter, email info@firedbutfighting.org.

SELF CARE

» Get outdoors and celebrate National Trail Day by volunteering to help with trail upkeep and restoration at the Chattahoochee National Park. Hosted by REI Perimeter, this event takes place on June 6 at 9AM. Register here.

» 🤣🐿️ The struggle is real…funny | @rxckstxr

» Don’t forget about the Southern-Fried Gaming Expo, which is run by three NCEH Spoons, taking place from July 31 through August 2 at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel & Convention Center and the Cobb Conve ntion Center Atlanta.