Judge says DOGE grant terminations are unlawful and 'troubling'
Summary
A U.S. judge ruled that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) unlawfully terminated federal grants by using race, gender, and other protected characteristics as reasons to cut funding. The judge blocked the Trump administration from continuing these grant terminations and criticized the process as unfair and not following normal procedures.Key Facts
- A federal judge found DOGE's grant cuts unlawful because they were based on protected characteristics like race and gender.
- The judge said the grant review by DOGE did not follow the usual process of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).
- DOGE staff used ChatGPT and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) keywords to decide which grants to cut.
- Grants related to Black civil rights, the Holocaust, Asian American experiences, Native American children, and women were targeted for cuts.
- The judge highlighted concerns about the resurgence of antisemitism and criticized cutting Holocaust-related projects focusing on women survivors.
- Nonprofit organizations affected by the cuts welcomed the ruling, emphasizing the importance of humanities research for democracy.
- President Donald Trump gave Elon Musk the power to reduce federal spending through DOGE when he returned to office in January 2026.
- Following this, DEI staff were put on leave and related programs were closed across federal agencies.
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