"Other structural and mission changes are happening as well," Colley wrote in an email that was posted to social media. "I have heard that there will be no acquisitions or programming." Colley said that the school had made these decisions "without the knowledge or input of VDB staff," and that the organization's future was "uncertain." Colley concluded his note by writing, "We sincerely want to find a way forward for the Video Data Bank."
"We are closely reviewing Central Office positions to identify opportunities for savings while minimizing the impact on staff and maintaining our commitment to supporting schools and students."
The layoffs decimated the workforce that processes FOIA requests across FDA centers overseeing vaccines, drugs, tobacco, medical devices, and food, leading to significant operational disruptions.