HHS layoffs were likely unlawful and must be halted, US judge says

[BumRushDaShow]

Last edited Tue Jul 1, 2025, 04:27 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: ABC News/AP

July 1, 2025, 1:22 PM


PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A federal judge has ruled that recent mass layoffs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services were likely unlawful and ordered the Trump administration to halt plans to downsize and reorganize the nation's health workforce. U.S. District Judge Melissa DuBose granted the preliminary injunction sought by a coalition of attorneys general from 19 states and the District of Columbia in a lawsuit filed in early May.

DuBose said the states had shown “irreparable harm,” from the cuts and were likely to prevail in their claims that “HHS’s action was both arbitrary and capricious as well as contrary to law.” “The executive branch does not have the authority to order, organize, or implement wholesale changes to the structure and function of the agencies created by Congress,” DuBose wrote in a 58-page order handed down in U.S. district court in Providence.

Her order blocks the Trump administration from finalizing layoffs announced in March or issuing any further firings. HHS is directed to file a status report by July 11.

The ruling applies to terminated employees in four different divisions of HHS: the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; the Center for Tobacco Products within the Food and Drug Administration; the Office of Head Start within the Administration for Children and Families and employees of regional offices who work on Head Start matters; and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation.

Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/hhs-layoffs-unlawful-halted-us-judge-123383428

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Link to ORDER (PDF) - https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70134295/73/state-of-new-york-v-kennedy/

REFERENCE - https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143453669

[Bayard]

1. Other agencies that have been decimated then can use this ruling, right?

At least till it gets to the Supremes.

[BumRushDaShow]

3. I think there were other suits filed that applied to "all"

Am thinking that "all" one may have been filed in a 9th Circuit District (west coast).

I just added the reference article for this suit to the OP which is this one - https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143453669

The suit by the AGs was filed in Rhode Island and is here - https://ag.ny.gov/sites/default/files/court-filings/state-of-new-york-et-al-v-robert-f-kennedy-united-states-department-of-health-and-human-servicses-et-al-complaint-2025.pdf

And per the last paragraph in the OP excerpts, applies to certain HHS agencies or offices within an agency including CDC, one of the offices within FDA (CTP that handles tobacco products), one of the offices in ACF that handles Head Start, and OPE, that falls directly under HHS as one of its main offices.

[angrychair]

2. Is this a universal injunction?

Is it valid since the latest SCOTUS ruling that courts cannot issue universal injunctions?

[BumRushDaShow]

4. I added the reference article about the original suit to the OP

I think this would just apply to those who filed although since it was filed in a 1st Circuit District (Rhode Island) it might apply to everyone under that Circuit too (from the original suit that was filed) - https://ag.ny.gov/sites/default/files/court-filings/state-of-new-york-et-al-v-robert-f-kennedy-united-states-department-of-health-and-human-servicses-et-al-complaint-2025.pdf

STATE OF NEW YORK; STATE OF
WASHINGTON; STATE OF RHODE ISLAND;
STATE OF ARIZONA; STATE OF CALIFORNIA;
STATE OF COLORADO; STATE OF
CONNECTICUT; STATE OF DELAWARE; THE
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA; STATE OF
HAWAI‘I; STATE OF ILLINOIS; STATE OF
MAINE; STATE OF MARYLAND; THE PEOPLE
OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN; STATE OF
MINNESOTA; STATE OF NEW JERSEY; STATE
OF NEW MEXICO; STATE OF OREGON; STATE
OF VERMONT; STATE OF WISCONSIN,

Since it w

[angrychair]

5. You are a saint Bum

I appreciate the information! ☺️

[BumRushDaShow]

6. LOL! No problem

I am trying to keep track since there were over 250 lawsuits filed against 45.

And at least at the moment, you ain't "angry"!

[angrychair]

7. That's my secret Bum

I'm always angry.

(Reference the beginning of NYC fight scene in the original Avengers right after Bruce Banner rides up on a moped)