State AGs Sue Trump Administration Over Public Health Grant Cuts

CO Attorney General Press Releases

Filed February 11th, 2026

Detected February 12th, 2026

Summary

Attorneys General from four states, including Colorado, have sued the Trump administration over a directive to cut over $600 million in federal public health grants. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, alleges the directive violates the Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act. The cuts could take effect as early as February 12, 2026.

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What changed

Attorneys General from four states, led by Colorado AG Phil Weiser, have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, specifically targeting a directive from the White House Office of Management and Budget to cut more than $600 million in federal public health grants. The lawsuit, State of Illinois v. Russell Vought, filed in the U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, alleges that the directive and its implementation are arbitrary, capricious, exceed statutory authority, and violate the U.S. Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act. The affected grants include critical funding for disease outbreak tracking, data systems, and public health workforce, with potential termination as early as February 12, 2026.

The practical implications for regulated entities are significant, as these cuts could lead to the layoff of hundreds of public health professionals and severely impact states' ability to track diseases and maintain essential public health services. The states are seeking a temporary restraining order to halt the directive's enforcement. Compliance officers should monitor the court's decision on the temporary restraining order and the ongoing litigation, as the outcome will determine the future of these vital public health funds and the operational capacity of state public health departments.

Source document (simplified)

Attorney General Phil Weiser sues Trump administration over unlawful directive to cut more than $600M in federal public health grants

Feb. 11, 2026 (DENVER) – Attorney General Phil Weiser and the attorneys general from California, Illinois and Minnesota today sued the Trump administration over the White House Office of Management and Budget’s directive to unlawfully cut more than $600 million in public health funding based on policy disagreements with those states.

The attorneys general explain in their lawsuit that the critical grant funding, which could be terminated as soon as Feb. 12, allows states to track disease outbreaks, maintain and improve their data systems, and collect basic public health data that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention relies upon. These funding cuts would also force states to lay off hundreds of trained public health professionals.

“The president has repeatedly threatened to cut off federal funds to Colorado for purely political reasons. The abrupt termination of CDC funds would have immediate and irreversible impacts on Colorado’s public health system and critical services for communities across the state,” said Attorney General Weiser. “This action is lawless and meanspirited. I’ll continue to fight for Colorado and stand up to the president’s ongoing campaign to punish our state using federal funding as a weapon for partisan political purposes.”

On Feb. 9, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services notified Congress of its intent to terminate CDC grant funding in the four states without providing any specific reasons. In their complaint, the coalition alleges that OMB’s directive commanding agencies to cut funding, along with its implementation, violates the U.S. Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act because it is arbitrary and capricious and exceeds the agencies’ statutory authority.

The largest grant targeted in this federal directive is the Public Health Infrastructure Block Grant, which operates in all 50 states and funds both critical short-term infrastructure, workforce needs and long-lasting strategic investment. Other funds targeted include the STD Prevention and Control for Health Departments grant, the National HIV Behavioral Survey grant, and the STI Surveillance Network grant. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will lose over $22 million in funds already awarded along with future funds anticipated. Lost future funding totals exceed $4 million, according to court documents.

The states have asked the court to issue a temporary restraining order and prohibit the implementation or enforcement of the unlawful directive. The lawsuit, State of Illinois v. Russell Vought, is filed in U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, Eastern District.

Read the filed lawsuit (PDF).

Read the filed motion for a temporary restraining order (PDF).

Media Contact:
Lawrence Pacheco
Chief Communications Officer
(720) 508-6553 office
lawrence.pacheco@coag.gov

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