New York Attorney General Letitia James has initiated legal action against the Trump administration, leading a coalition of 19 other attorneys general. The lawsuit challenges what they describe as the unconstitutional dismantling of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Since taking office, Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., alongside the Trump administration, has reportedly dismissed thousands of federal health workers and closed vital programs, leaving states to manage growing health crises without federal support.
Attorney General James stated, "This administration is not streamlining the federal government; they are sabotaging it and all of us." She highlighted concerns over terminated scientists researching infectious diseases and shuttered programs supporting firefighters, miners, and children.
On March 27, Secretary Kennedy announced a restructuring plan under the president’s “Department of Government Efficiency” initiative. This plan reduced HHS's agencies from 28 to 15 and cut staff numbers significantly. By April 1, many employees were unexpectedly locked out of their offices and emails.
The lawsuit claims that this restructuring has had immediate negative impacts on programs for children and low-income families. Head Start centers face potential closure due to frozen grant funding, while essential services for children with disabilities and homeless youth are in jeopardy.
Mental health services have also been severely affected. Hundreds of employees involved in mental health and addiction treatment were dismissed, including half of those at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The nation’s tobacco prevention agency was dismantled despite ongoing tobacco-related deaths.
Reproductive health services have suffered setbacks with layoffs affecting maternal health teams at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and sexual assault prevention efforts. The HIV/AIDS response is also compromised due to expert dismissals.
The World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP), which aids over 137,000 first responders and survivors from 9/11, risks losing crucial medical personnel. Additionally, closures have affected CDC labs tracking infectious diseases like measles.
Attorney General James argues that these actions violate numerous laws and ignore congressional authority. She contends that these changes are not merely collateral damage but intended outcomes by the administration.
Gary Smiley from FDNY EMS Local 2507 criticized cuts to WTCHP as life-threatening for first responders reliant on its care. Susan Stamler from United Neighborhood Houses expressed concern over sudden regional office closures impacting Head Start providers in New York.
Chanel Porchia-Albert from Ancient Song Doula Services warned about the adverse effects on maternal health infrastructure. Anthony Feliciano from Housing Works emphasized threats to public health efforts against HIV due to these cuts.
The coalition urges immediate court intervention to stop what they deem unlawful dismantling efforts by the Trump administration while restoring essential health programs nationwide.
Joining Attorney General James in this legal action are attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington state as well as Wisconsin and Washington D.C.