Federal Judges Rule Trump Administration's NIH Grant Cuts Illegal Due to Discrimination
Multiple federal judges have deemed the Trump administration's termination of NIH research grants illegal, citing unprecedented racial and LGBTQ discrimination in their decisions.
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Overview
- Judge Young condemned the Trump administration's NIH grant cuts as illegal, citing unprecedented racial discrimination after 40 years on the bench.
- Federal judges ruled that the termination of NIH grants, totaling over $3 billion, was arbitrary and discriminatory against racial minorities and LGBTQ individuals.
- The Trump administration's actions to cut NIH funding for diversity and inclusion programs were deemed unlawful, prompting potential appeals from HHS and NIH.
- Judge Young reinstated previously awarded NIH grants to organizations and states that sued, labeling the cuts as 'appalling' and discriminatory.
- The ruling on NIH grant cuts is expected to be appealed, as the Trump administration defends its policies against accusations of discrimination.
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Analysis
Emphasizes the illegality of the Trump administration's termination of NIH research grants.
"Rebuking the cuts and ordering hundreds of grants restored, Young said “it is palpably clear that these directives and the set of terminated grants here also are designed to frustrate, to stop, research that may bear on the health—we’re talking about health here, the health of Americans, of our LGBTQ community."
ARS Technica"Today's court ruling halted the cancellation of millions of dollars that have already been awarded to address important public health needs and will allow funding for life-saving medical research to continue."
CBS News"The judge went on to address what he called “a darker aspect” to the cases, calling it “palpably clear” that what was behind the government actions was “racial discrimination and discrimination against America’s LGBTQ community.”"
Associated Press"The NIH grant terminations, as well as a slowdown in approving and renewing grants, have reverberated through universities across the country, many of which have faced losing the vast majority of their research budgets."
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FAQ
The judges ruled the grant cuts illegal due to unprecedented racial and LGBTQ discrimination, describing the cuts as arbitrary, discriminatory, and in violation of federal law.
The NIH grants cut by the Trump administration totaled over $3 billion according to lawsuits, with estimates of up to $1.8 billion in research funding affected.
The administration targeted NIH research grants related to LGBTQ+ issues, gender identity, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, which they described as prioritizing ideological agendas over scientific rigor.
The Department of Health and Human Services defended the decision to end funding, stating the aim was to prioritize evidence-based scientific research over what they called divisive DEI mandates and gender ideology.
The ruling is expected to be appealed by the Trump administration, which continues to defend its policies against accusations of discrimination.
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