A federal judge in Providence, R.I., has ruled that recent mass layoffs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services were likely unlawful. The judge ordered the Trump administration to cease plans to downsize and reorganize the nation’s health workforce. U.S. District Judge Melissa DuBose granted a preliminary injunction sought by a coalition of attorneys general from 19 states and the District of Columbia who filed a lawsuit in early May. The judge stated that the states had demonstrated “irreparable harm” from the layoffs and were likely to succeed in their claims that the actions taken by HHS were arbitrary and contrary to the law.
Judge DuBose emphasized in her 58-page order that the executive branch does not have the authority to make wholesale changes to government agencies without proper authorization from Congress. The ruling blocks the Trump administration from finalizing the announced layoffs or implementing further firings. HHS is required to provide a status report by July 11.
An HHS spokesperson mentioned that the administration is reviewing the decision and weighing next steps. The spokesperson defended the administration’s decision to restructure the organization to align with its core mission and eliminate inefficiencies.
The court ruling affects employees in various parts of HHS, including the CDC, the Center for Tobacco Products, the Office of Head Start, and regional offices working on Head Start matters. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had eliminated over 10,000 employees in late March as part of consolidating 28 agencies into 15. Some agencies, like the CDC, have already rescinded layoffs affecting hundreds of employees involved in critical health programs.
The lawsuit argued that the restructuring was arbitrary and beyond the agency’s authority, resulting in the loss of essential programs and increased costs for states. Judge DuBose noted that states were deprived of vital resources and expertise on which they relied.
The layoffs were part of a federal initiative to streamline agencies and reduce redundancies under the “Make America Healthy Again” directive. Kennedy acknowledged that mistakes were made in the process and mentioned that some employees may be reinstated following the ruling.
