New jersey sues trump again, this time over ‘illegal’ dismantling of federal health department

TRENTON – Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced Monday that New Jersey has joined 19 other states in suing the Trump administration over what officials call the unlawful dismantling of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The lawsuit targets Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., HHS, and other administration officials.

Since Trump took office in 2016 during his first term, New Jersey has filed nearly two dozen lawsuits against his administration.

The complaint, filed in federal court, alleges that the administration’s decision to shut down HHS programs, fire thousands of employees, and restructure core agencies is illegal and threatens critical health services across the country. The states argue that the administration lacks authority to unilaterally alter or dissolve federally mandated public health functions.

“Instead of responding to urgent public health crises, the Trump Administration is recklessly disregarding the health of New Jerseyans and putting the lives of our state’s residents at risk,” Platkin said. “We are filing this lawsuit to protect families across our state from this disastrous and illegal shutdown.”

Secretary Kennedy announced the agency overhaul on March 27, consolidating HHS’s 28 agencies into 15. As part of the restructuring, 10,000 federal health workers were terminated nationwide on April 1, and half of HHS’s regional offices, including those in New York City, Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco, were closed.

The lawsuit claims the cuts have severely disrupted federal health operations. Several Centers for Disease Control and Prevention labs—key to tracking diseases like measles and hepatitis—have reportedly shut down. The entire maternal health team at the CDC was laid off, and half of the workforce at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) was terminated, along with the closure of all SAMHSA regional offices.

States cite risk to 9/11 responders and public health systems

The states also cite direct impacts on care for 9/11 first responders. The World Trade Center Health Program, which serves over 137,000 survivors and responders, is reportedly facing delays in cancer diagnosis certifications due to doctor shortages following the firings.

Attorneys general argue that the sweeping cuts violate federal statutes and were carried out without required congressional approval, infringing on the constitutional separation of powers. They are asking the court to reverse the reorganizations and halt further layoffs, asserting that the changes undermine the legal foundations of U.S. public health policy.

Monday’s lawsuit follows an earlier legal challenge filed April 1, when Platkin and 22 other attorneys general sued to block a sudden cut in federal health funding. That case led to a temporary restraining order issued on April 4, which partially reinstated the funding.

The latest suit seeks to restore federal health infrastructure that states argue is critical to managing public health emergencies and routine care nationwide.

Trump administration’s HHS cuts leave states fighting to save health programs, first responders, and federal oversight.

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