A federal judge on Tuesday ruled that mass layoffs at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) were likely unlawful and ordered the Trump administration to halt plans on downsizing the public health agencies.

“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,” ABC News stated.

DuBose, a Biden appointee, was confirmed to her seat earlier this year.

Federal judge blocks HHS layoffs, says likely unlawful https://t.co/UwhojlhHRp

— John Solomon (@jsolomonReports) July 1, 2025

The Hill provided further details:

The suit was filed by the Democratic attorneys general of 19 states and D.C. They alleged in their suit that the Trump administration had overstepped congressional authority and gone against the doctrine of separation of powers.

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The HHS laid off roughly 10,000 staffers as part of its restructuring plan in April. According to public health experts and former staffers, the drastic reduction in staffing threatens the U.S.’s status as a leading health authority.

In its counterargument, the HHS has argued that the attorneys general lack standing to sue the federal government over this action. To establish standing, the states must prove harm as a result of the HHS’s actions.

DuBose wrote she was “persuaded” to believe tangible harm had resulted from the drastic changes at the HHS, noting the example of disruptions occurring at the Northwest Center for Occupational Health and Safety (NWCOHS) due to grants not being processed.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in March announced plans to terminate thousands of workers to make the department more efficient and effective.

“We’re going to eliminate an entire alphabet soup of departments and agencies while preserving their core functions,” he said in a six-minute video explaining the cuts.

Check it out:

MAHA: RFK Jr announced he is doubling HHS layoffs from 10,000 to 20,000 consolidating 28 divisions to 15 and renaming the agency the Administration for a Healthy America (AHA). pic.twitter.com/Nmhj27nwvJ

— @amuse (@amuse) March 31, 2025

More info from ABC News:

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.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. eliminated more than 10,000 employees in late March and consolidated 28 agencies to 15. Since then, agencies including the CDC have repeatedly rescinded layoffs affecting hundreds of employees, including in branches that monitor HIV, hepatitis and other diseases.

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The attorneys general argued that the massive restructuring was arbitrary and outside of the scope of the agency’s authority. The lawsuit also says the action decimated essential programs and pushed burdensome costs onto states.

“The intended effect … was the wholesale elimination of many HHS programs that are critical to public health and safety,” the lawsuit argued.