New York Attorney General Letitia James has declared an impending legal battle against the Trump administration's Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), rallying a cohort of state attorneys general to her cause. The announcement came amid concerns that proposed funding cuts could jeopardize essential services for at-risk communities, including educational and health support for low-income children, senior citizens, and 9/11 first responders.
At the heart of the attorney general's objections are programs such as Head Start, Meals on Wheels, and the World Trade Center Healthcare Program, which she believes are vital to public health and well-being. James emphasized that the loss of such programs would pose a dire threat to those who rely on them. The forthcoming lawsuit, which James stated would be filed in the near future, is a response to what she characterizes as a sustained assault on indispensable services bankrolled by federal healthcare funds.
During a rally, Attorney General James confirmed that various Democratic attorneys general from states across the nation would join her in this legal challenge, as reported by the New York Post. The announcement comes at a time when James has been in the Trump administration's crosshairs, particularly after her involvement in a civil fraud case against the Trump Organization that resulted in a $454 million judgment—currently under appeal by Trump.
In a scathing critique of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., James lambasted his management of the measles outbreak and his prioritization of new treatments over vaccination efforts. She also made a controversial remark about Kennedy's past deposition claim that a worm had consumed part of his brain, eliciting laughter from the audience.
Tensions have escalated between James and the Trump administration, with the US Federal Housing Agency recently sending a criminal referral to the US Attorney General, accusing James of fabricating bank documents to secure favorable loan terms in real estate transactions.
Amid these controversies, James voiced her unwavering support for New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams's mayoral bid. Her impassioned speech at the rally underscored her dedication to fighting for New Yorkers and uniting with other progressive leaders against policies perceived as detrimental to the populace. The White House and the Department of Health and Human Services have not yet commented on James’ allegations or the planned lawsuit.