Arizona Joins Forces with Other States in Lawsuit Against RFK Jr. and Trump for ‘Sabotaging’ HHS Through DOGE Cuts

New York Attorney General Letitia James, alongside 19 state attorneys general, has initiated legal action against the Trump administration and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The lawsuit targets significant staffing reductions within the agency that advocates for public health.

This restructuring, announced in March as part of the Department of Government Efficiency initiative, proposes a decrease of approximately 20,000 employees and consolidates 28 agencies into 15. Officials assert these measures were aimed at cutting costs and increasing efficiency.

“This administration is not streamlining the federal government; they are sabotaging it and all of us,” James stated. She emphasized that the dismissal of scientists and healthcare professionals endangers lives, especially among the vulnerable populations served by HHS.

The coalition argues that Kennedy acted recklessly in pursuing this overhaul. They contend that this directive will have catastrophic consequences for public health response capabilities, compromising the nation’s ability to address crises effectively.

The lawsuit claims that within its initial months, the administration severely restricted HHS’s resources. On March 27, 2025, a plan was unveiled to terminate 10,000 employees and close numerous departments, all part of Kennedy’s vision to “Make America Healthy Again.”

By April 1, notification of terminations created chaos within HHS, disrupting essential operations. Reports suggest calls went unanswered, vital research was abandoned, and critical health services were suspended.

Programs such as the FDA’s potential bird flu vaccination initiative suffered, leading to missed application deadlines and halted testing protocols that are crucial for public health.

“The federal government has cut lab capacity so much that they have all but stopped testing for measles amid an unprecedented outbreak,” James stated at a recent press conference.

Additionally, the World Trade Center Health Program faced significant setbacks, lacking certified doctors necessary for the coverage of new illness claims. This raised concerns among 9/11 first responders, including Gary Smiley, who criticized the administration’s failure to uphold promises regarding veteran care.

“This administration has lied to the 9/11 community and caused irreparable damage,” Smiley asserted, expressing fears that denial of care could lead to severe mental health crises among affected individuals.

The Department of Health and Human Services has not yet responded to these accusations. The states involved in the lawsuit aim to secure both a preliminary and a permanent injunction to halt Kennedy’s directive, ensuring that essential health programs can resume without disruption.

Joining New York in this legal effort are attorneys general from 19 diverse states including Arizona, California, and Michigan, highlighting a broad coalition against the proposed changes.