Trump admin. closes Health and Human Services offices in Seattle, locks out Head Start
Apr 2, 2025, 8:36 AM | Updated: 9:20 am
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services building is seen on March 27, 2025 in Washington, DC. The Department of Health and Human Services announced it is cutting 10,000 jobs and closing offices aimed at cutting $1.8 billion. Those cuts have hit Seattle. (Photo: Kayla Bartkowski, Getty Images)
(Photo: Kayla Bartkowski, Getty Images)
The Trump administration’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) shut down its regional office in downtown Seattle, including the Seattle Office of Head Start. The six employees with Head Start have been reportedly told they will be terminated as part of the layoffs ordered by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
The HHS Region 10 office is located in downtown Seattle and covers Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska. The move is part of broader efforts to lay off 10,000 HHS staff. According to Democratic Senator Patty Murray’s office, per The Seattle Times, approximately 200 staffers were fired, with 90 more let go at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, which is part of HHS.
“We aren’t just reducing bureaucratic sprawl,” Secretary Kennedy, Jr., said in a statement. “We are realigning the organization with its core mission and our new priorities in reversing the chronic disease epidemic.”
But Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (D-WA01) condemned the move. She argued that “President Trump and Elon Musk are taking a hatchet job to HHS.”
“This doesn’t make America healthier or more efficient,” she said. “This is an irresponsible decision that will harm public health in Washington and the Pacific Northwest.”
Head Start cut after scrutiny
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Head Start is a federally funded program in the U.S., though it’s run by schools and nonprofit organizations. It provides early childhood education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income children and families.
The program faced Trump administration scrutiny for supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion by grant recipients. The Administration for Children and Families warned Head Start recipients that “Head Start will not approve the use of federal funding for any training and technical assistance (TTA) or other program expenditures that promote or take part in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.”
The Seattle Times reported that the Seattle-area Head Start staff was “locked out” of the offices and placed on leave, with notice of pending terminations.
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