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Judge Blocks RFK Jr.’s Plan to Radically Downsize Department of Health and Human Services

HeadlineJul 02, 2025

A federal judge in Rhode Island has halted the Trump administration’s efforts to radically restructure the Department of Health and Human Services. On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Melissa DuBose ruled HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy’s mass firing of staffers and his elimination of entire programs is likely unlawful, writing, “The executive branch does not have the authority to order, organize or implement wholesale changes to the structure and function of the agencies created by Congress.” RFK Jr. is seeking to eliminate 10,000 jobs while slashing programs including disease prevention, anti-smoking campaigns and food safety inspections. 

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