A coalition of 19 Democratic state attorneys general and the District of Columbia has filed a federal lawsuit against the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), challenging its mass layoffs and agency closures under the Trump administration’s restructuring plan.
The Lawsuit and Allegations
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Rhode Island, argues that the termination of 10,000 employees and the closure of multiple agencies within HHS violates constitutional and administrative laws. The attorneys general claim the restructuring has crippled essential health programs, including infectious disease research, maternal health monitoring, and emergency response initiatives.
New York Attorney General Letitia James, a leading plaintiff, stated, “This administration is not streamlining the federal government; they are sabotaging it and all of us”. The lawsuit seeks to halt further layoffs, reinstate affected employees, and restore critical health programs.
The Restructuring Plan
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the overhaul in March 2025, consolidating 28 divisions into 15 and cutting half of all regional offices. The administration claims the move will save taxpayers $1.8 billion annually, but critics argue it dismantles vital public health infrastructure.
Political and Public Backlash
The restructuring has drawn widespread condemnation from health experts, lawmakers, and advocacy groups. The United Nations Public Health Division, the American Medical Association, and several bipartisan lawmakers have urged the administration to reverse course, warning of severe consequences for public health.
Kennedy is scheduled to testify before the Senate Health Committee on May 14, where he is expected to face intense scrutiny over the layoffs and budget cuts.
