Overview

• Judge Melissa DuBose granted a preliminary injunction at the request of 19 state attorneys general and Washington, D.C., halting any further layoffs or restructuring at HHS.
• The order covers four key divisions: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products, the Office of Head Start and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation.
• DuBose found that the executive branch lacked congressional authorization for mass workforce cuts and cited evidence of irreparable harm to disease surveillance, research and social services.
• Affected employees remain on paid administrative leave while HHS evaluates its response and prepares a status report on compliance, due July 11.
• HHS has publicly disagreed with the ruling, affirming its commitment to modernizing the department and weighing potential legal appeals.