FDA staff were reviewing Elon Musk’s brain implant company. DOGE just fired them.

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According to two sources with knowledge of the situation.

According to two sources, who requested anonymity due to concerns about potential professional repercussions, the division in question is responsible for reviewing clinical-trial applications submitted by Neuralink and other firms that develop brain-computer interface devices.

Both sources stated that they didn't think the employees were targeted because of their work on Neuralink's projects.

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The agency will face significant challenges in efficiently and safely reviewing medical device applications, such as those from Neuralink, with around 20 employees leaving their positions.

"It's intimidating to the FDA professionals who oversee Neuralink's trial," said Victor Krauthamer, a former FDA official for 30 years, including a term as acting director of the office that reviews requests for human trials of brain implants.

We should be concerned about the entire trial and ensuring the safety of the individuals involved in the trial.

The FDA, the White House, and Musk did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Trump stated that Musk will step aside from any potential conflicts of interest between his business ventures and his efforts to reduce costs for the federal government.

Similar to other government agencies, the cuts affected scientists reviewing medical device applications who were in a probationary status, one of the sources mentioned. Probationary employees generally have less than a year or in some cases less than two years of service and have fewer legal protections.

The technology enables people with paralysis to control digital devices solely through their thoughts, although so far, it has only been tested with a small number of individuals with disabilities. The company is also working on a brain implant that aims to restore vision. The FDA has granted the device a designation to expedite its development and federal review, according to the company.

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Letters sent to FDA reviewers stated they were being let go due to performance issues, even though they had a spotless performance record and had received high ratings just weeks earlier, according to two sources with knowledge of the situation. The supervisors of the employees being cut were not informed of the mass layoffs beforehand and only found out from their own employees.

Staff at the FDA were reviewing Elon Musk's brain implant company when they were suddenly fired.