A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to cut federal health grants tied to LGBTQ research and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives. U.S. District Judge William Young, a Reagan appointee, ruled that the move was unlawful and ordered immediate restoration of the revoked funding. The case arose after the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in February terminated grants related to gender identity and DEI programs.
The ruling followed a legal challenge from groups including the ACLU, the American Public Health Association (APHA), and Ibis Reproductive Health. Judge Young sided with the plaintiffs, calling the funding cuts “arbitrary and capricious.” He concluded the administration’s actions were ideologically motivated rather than rooted in science or performance evaluations. This marks a significant legal win for LGBTQ and public health advocacy groups.
Dr. Georges Benjamin of the APHA welcomed the decision, labeling the cuts as “discrimination, pure and simple.” However, the Trump administration signaled its intent to appeal. A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Andrew Nixon, defended the decision, claiming it was part of an effort to reallocate resources toward “evidence-based practices” and away from what he described as “divisive DEI mandates.”
Although the judge ordered funds to be resumed, critics worry that the administration may stall compliance. Benjamin warned that officials might slow-walk implementation, as seen with prior rulings. Advocacy groups remain vigilant for signs of noncompliance.
In a related move, Attorney General Pam Bondi dropped lawsuits challenging merit-based hiring tests, indicating a wider rollback of DEI policies. Bondi justified the decision by prioritizing public safety over what she called “DEI quotas.”
