The First Circuit on Wednesday shut down the Trump administration’s attempt to slash 10,000 jobs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and terminate programs at the CDC, FDA, Head Start, and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation.
In an unsigned opinion, the three-judge panel ruled the administration failed to prove “irreparable harm” or demonstrate a strong chance of winning on appeal. The decision preserves a Rhode Island federal judge’s injunction blocking the cuts.
Judges Question Government’s Claims
Judges Lara Montecalvo, Julie Rikelman, and Seth Aframe said the administration’s legal arguments fell short. They rejected claims that 19 states and the District of Columbia lacked standing, chose the wrong venue, or were barred from suing under the Administrative Procedure Act.
The panel emphasized U.S. District Judge Melissa DuBose’s earlier findings, noting Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. admitted HHS never examined employees’ responsibilities before cutting them, saying such a review would “take too long” and risk losing “political momentum.”
