FDA Staff Told to Avoid Certain Words, White House Calls It a Misstep

A list of prohibited terms, including 'woman' and 'disabled,' was circulated at the FDA, but the White House attributes it to a misunderstanding of executive orders.

• FDA scientists reported receiving a list of over two dozen banned words, including 'woman,' 'disabled,' and 'elderly,' for use in external communications.
• The White House stated that the list stemmed from a misinterpretation of President Trump's executive orders addressing gender ideology and related language policies.
• FDA officials and staff expressed concerns that the restrictions would hinder their ability to perform their work effectively, including reviewing medical devices and addressing public health needs.
• The White House clarified that only certain terms, such as 'gender,' 'diversity,' and 'transgender,' are restricted under the executive orders, and most words on the FDA list were not officially prohibited.
• The incident adds to ongoing challenges at the FDA, including recent mass layoffs under the Department of Government Efficiency, which have impacted over 1,000 employees.

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