Legal Challenge Filed Against HHS Overhaul, Citing "Reckless" and "Dangerous" Changes
New York Attorney General Letitia James, joined by 18 other Democratic state attorneys general, has launched a federal lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s sweeping overhaul of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The lawsuit, filed in Rhode Island U.S. District Court, targets what the attorneys general describe as a dismantling of the department through significant downsizing and workforce reductions, ultimately jeopardizing public health and essential government functions.
The legal action is a direct response to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s restructuring plan, unveiled in March, which aims to consolidate HHS divisions from 28 to 15 and eliminate 20,000 full-time employee positions. Kennedy Jr. has defended the plan as a necessary measure to streamline operations, reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies, and save taxpayers an estimated $1.8 billion annually.
However, Attorney General James and her colleagues vehemently disagree with this assessment. They contend that the cuts are not simply streamlining efforts but a calculated act of "sabotage" that will leave the federal government "unable to execute many of its most vital functions." James has characterized Kennedy Jr.’s actions as "reckless, irrational, and dangerous," arguing that they erode decades of progress in public health and place countless lives at risk.
The lawsuit highlights several specific concerns, including the abrupt lockout of HHS employees from their work emails and computers on April 1, which allegedly disrupted essential services and research activities. The attorneys general also decry the abandonment of experiments, cancellation of site visits and training programs, and the shuttering of laboratories, all of which they argue will have detrimental consequences for public health and safety.
The attorneys general raise serious questions about the timing and rationale behind these decisions, particularly in light of ongoing public health challenges and the need for robust research and preparedness efforts. They emphasize the crucial role HHS plays in protecting the nation from infectious diseases, ensuring access to quality healthcare, and safeguarding the health and well-being of vulnerable populations.
The HHS overhaul also involves cutting the number of regional offices in half, from 10 to 5, a move that critics say will further diminish the department’s capacity to respond to local needs and address regional health disparities. Kennedy Jr. has argued that these changes are necessary to realign the organization with its core mission and new priorities, particularly in addressing what he calls the "chronic disease epidemic."
The attorneys general are challenging the legality of the HHS overhaul on multiple grounds, including allegations that the Trump administration failed to comply with federal laws requiring adequate notice and consultation with stakeholders before implementing such sweeping changes. They also argue that the cuts are arbitrary and capricious, lacking a rational basis and failing to adequately consider the potential harm to public health.
The legal challenge comes as the Trump administration has proposed a significant reduction in HHS’s discretionary budget for 2026. The proposed budget, released by the Office of Management and Budget, seeks $93.8 billion for HHS, a decrease of approximately $33 billion compared to the fiscal 2025 enacted level. This proposed cut represents a 26% reduction in the department’s discretionary budget, raising concerns about the long-term impact on public health programs and services.
Specifically, the Trump administration’s budget proposal calls for substantial cuts to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), two agencies that play critical roles in biomedical research and public health preparedness. While these agencies face potential budget cuts, the administration is seeking $500 million for Kennedy Jr.’s Make America Healthy Again initiative, which aims to address nutrition, physical activity, healthy lifestyles, and other factors contributing to chronic disease.
The budget proposal suggests reducing funding for CDC by $3.6 billion and NIH by $18 billion, while maintaining funding for "core Medicare and Medicaid operations." This shift in priorities has raised concerns about the administration’s commitment to research and prevention efforts, as well as its willingness to invest in the long-term health and well-being of the American people.
The involvement of Elon Musk, President Trump’s billionaire advisor, in the HHS overhaul has also drawn scrutiny. Musk is leading the Department of Government Efficiency’s workforce optimization initiative, which is responsible for implementing many of the cuts and restructuring efforts at HHS. Critics have questioned Musk’s qualifications to lead such a complex and sensitive undertaking, arguing that his expertise lies in technology and business, not public health.
The lawsuit filed by Attorney General James and her colleagues is a significant challenge to the Trump administration’s vision for HHS. The attorneys general aim to block the implementation of the overhaul, restore funding to critical public health programs, and ensure that the department can effectively carry out its mission of protecting the health and well-being of all Americans.
Kennedy Jr. is scheduled to appear before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee on May 14 to discuss the budget and the overhaul of HHS. This hearing is expected to provide an opportunity for lawmakers to question Kennedy Jr. about his plans and to raise concerns about the potential impact of the changes on public health.
The outcome of the lawsuit and the Senate hearing could have far-reaching implications for the future of HHS and the nation’s public health system. The legal challenge represents a critical test of the Trump administration’s authority to reshape the federal government and to prioritize its own agenda over the health and well-being of the American people. The attorneys general are hoping to reverse the current trajectory and ensure that HHS remains a strong and effective advocate for public health.
