New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin has joined 19 other attorneys general in a lawsuit against Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and officials from the Trump Administration. The legal action aims to halt what is described as the unlawful dismantling of HHS.
According to the lawsuit, since taking office, Secretary Kennedy and the Trump Administration have terminated thousands of federal health workers, closed essential programs, and left states without necessary federal support during ongoing health crises. The attorneys general argue that these actions deprive HHS of resources needed to effectively serve Americans and meet congressional mandates.
“Instead of responding to urgent public health crises, the Trump Administration is recklessly disregarding the health of New Jerseyans,” stated Attorney General Platkin. He added that dismantling HHS would severely impact critical care access for 9/11 first responders, pregnant women, and infectious disease response efforts.
Secretary Kennedy announced a major restructuring on March 27, which included reducing HHS’s agencies from 28 to 15 and implementing mass firings. By April 1, approximately 10,000 HHS employees were dismissed nationwide, with half of its regional offices closing in major cities such as Boston, Chicago, Dallas, New York City, San Francisco, and Seattle.
The lawsuit claims these changes have disrupted the entire health system by shutting down key CDC infectious disease labs and terminating hundreds involved in mental health services. The World Trade Center Health Program faces losing doctors crucial for certifying cancer diagnoses among 9/11 responders.
Attorney General Platkin and his coalition assert that these actions violate federal statutes by bypassing congressional approval. They argue this undermines constitutional separation of powers meant to safeguard public health laws enacted by Congress.
The coalition seeks a court order to stop mass firings, reverse reorganization efforts deemed illegal, and restore vital health services relied upon by millions.
This lawsuit follows earlier actions against Secretary Kennedy for cutting billions in state health funding without due process. A temporary court order was issued on April 4 reinstating some funds cut by the administration.
Led by New York Attorney General Letitia James along with Rhode Island’s Peter Neronha and Washington’s Nick Brown, other participating states include Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawai’i, Illinois, Maine, Michigan Maryland Minnesota New Mexico Oregon Vermont Wisconsin District Columbia.
