Trump tries to justify drastic (and wildly unpopular) cuts to medical research
MSNBCMAY 1
19 States Sue Trump Admin Over HHS Cuts & Restructuring
Above:Â Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during an executive order signing in the Oval Office of the White House on May 5, 2025. Â Image copyright:Â Jim Lo Scalzo/Contributor/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Spin
Democratic narrative
Trump's erratic cuts to HHS, slashing critical medical research and firing 20,000 employees, are a reckless assault on America's health. These unconstitutional moves, defying Congress' funding authority, cripple disease monitoring and vaccination programs, risking lives. With 77% of Americans opposed, this arbitrary wrecking ball approach undermines public trust and violates the law — facts that will be brought to light thanks to these patriotic attorneys general.
Republican narrative
HHS' bold restructuring under RFK Jr. saves $1.8 billion, streamlines 28 divisions into 15, and prioritizes chronic illness prevention, achievements only corrupt Democrats could possibly oppose. Meanwhile, critical services like Medicare remain intact, enhancing responsiveness. The audacity of Letitia James, facing her own legal scrutiny for questionable real estate dealings, to challenge this lawful overhaul is clearly a distraction.