The Trump administration’s efforts to remove certain webpages from federal health agency websites has been challenged, and a federal judge has ordered their restoration. This action follows a lawsuit filed by Doctors for America against the government, contesting the removal of vital health information.
This legal battle began when President Trump issued an executive order on January 20, 2025, directing federal agencies to combat “gender ideology extremism.” Subsequently, acting director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Charles Ezell, instructed the CDC and other agencies to remove webpages and social media content promoting “gender ideology.” This resulted in the disappearance of a significant amount of information by January 30th.
The removed content encompassed a broad range of topics, including HIV testing, prevention, and treatment resources; datasets on youth behavior and assisted reproductive technologies; and guidance for researchers on inclusivity in studies. Some of this information had been publicly available for years. Doctors for America, a physician advocacy group, quickly filed a lawsuit against the OPM, represented by Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy organization.
The lawsuit argued that the removal of these pages hindered patient care, particularly for those seeking information about HIV. Judge John Bates, a district judge in Washington D.C., heard the case and issued a temporary restraining order. He rejected the government’s argument that the deletions were routine website maintenance.
Judge Bates’ ruling emphasized the importance of the removed information for doctors and patients. He stated that forcing doctors to spend time searching for this information negatively impacts their efficiency and effectiveness in providing care. The judge ordered the agencies to restore the pages identified by Doctors for America to their pre-January 30th state by midnight on the day of the ruling. He further directed the Department of Health and Human Services to collaborate with Doctors for America to identify and restore other essential pages used by doctors by February 14th.
This legal victory doesn’t preclude future attempts by the Trump administration to restructure federal agencies, but it signals judicial resistance to unilateral changes. Recent court decisions have also temporarily blocked White House efforts to cut funding for the National Institutes of Health.
This court order represents a significant win for doctors, patients, and public health, temporarily halting the removal of crucial health information. Zach Shelley, lead counsel for the DFA lawsuit, celebrated the decision as a vital step towards preserving public access to vital health resources. The case underscores the ongoing tension between the current administration and public health advocates.
