The Trump administration’s plans to significantly downsize the Department of Health and Human Services have been temporarily halted by a federal judge. The decision came in response to a lawsuit joined by Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, along with 19 other attorneys general.
The legal action followed an order from HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to implement widespread layoffs across various health offices, including the CDC, Head Start, and programs integral to determining eligibility for Medicaid and food assistance.
Arizona’s involvement in the lawsuit was announced by Mayes, who criticized the unilateral decision. She expressed her concerns, stating, “Arizona didn’t ask for this. Congress did not vote for it. And RFK Jr. doesn’t have the authority to unilaterally pull this funding.”
For now, the injunction prevents the planned layoffs from proceeding, allowing the lawsuit to progress through the federal court system.
