The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is struggling with a significant loss of experienced staff and declining morale, factors that threaten to undermine its regulatory effectiveness. Since April 1, the agency has shed 3,500 employees—nearly 19% of its workforce—amid a government-wide hiring freeze and increasing political involvement in decision-making. Current and former employees cited concerns over reduced administrative support, disregard for career experts' input, and low trust in leadership during Commissioner Marty Makary’s tenure, raising alarms about the agency's capacity to maintain drug reviews and inspections.