Judge Blocks Layoffs at HHS
Judge rules health department’s mass layoffs were unlawful
July 3, 2025
U.S. District Judge Melissa DuBose ruled the Trump administration’s recent mass layoffs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), were likely against the law. The federal judge’s ruling came on Tuesday in a response to a lawsuit file in May by attorney generals from 19 states and the District of Columbia, NBC News reported.
The judge ruled the states had shown “irreparable harm,” from the layoffs, and probably would succeed in their claims that “HHS’s action was both arbitrary and capricious as well as contrary to law.” DuBose said the executive branch does not have the authority to implement drastic changes to agencies created by Congress.
The ruling blocks the Trump administration from finalizing layoffs announced in March and issuing any other firings. It also requires HHS to issue a status report by July 11.
As CMM previously reported, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK) eliminated over 10,000 positions in March and consolidated 28 agencies to 15. Since then, RFK has repeatedly rescinded layoffs, including at least 722 employes at the CDC. Meanwhile, 43% of U.S. adults strongly or somewhat disapprove of how RFK is handling his job.
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