A federal judge, William Young, ruled on Monday that the Trump administration's termination of over $1 billion in research grants at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) was 'void and illegal.' The cuts, which targeted research connected to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), were deemed unlawful 'racial discrimination and discrimination against America’s LGBTQ community.' Young ordered the reinstatement of grants for the organizations and 16 Democratic-led states that filed the lawsuit. The cuts, part of an effort to shrink the federal government led by Elon Musk, had impacted 2,100 research grants valued at over $12 billion since Trump took office. NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya is evaluating ways to restore funding.
Trump officials cutting $1bn in NIH grants is ‘void and illegal’, judge rules
Donald TrumpLaw (US)Elon MuskUnited States
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️A federal judge, William Young, ruled on Monday that the Trump administration's termination of over $1 billion in research grants at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) was 'void and illegal.' The cuts, which targeted research connected to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), were deemed unlawful 'racial discrimination and discrimination against America’s LGBTQ community.' Young ordered the reinstatement of grants for the organizations and 16 Democratic-led states that filed the lawsuit. The cuts, part of an effort to shrink the federal government led by Elon Musk, had impacted 2,100 research grants valued at over $12 billion since Trump took office. NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya is evaluating ways to restore funding.
Trending- 1 February: Trump administration slashes NIH funding.
- 2 April: American Public Health Association, UAW, and others file lawsuit.
- 3 Last week: NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya speaks at Senate committee hearing.
- 4 Monday (June 16, 2025): Judge William Young rules cuts 'void and illegal'.
- Over $1 billion in NIH grants ruled void and illegal
- Grants for plaintiffs ordered reinstated
- NIH Director evaluating ways to restore funding
- Legal precedent against discriminatory grant cuts
What: A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration's cuts to NIH research grants were illegal and discriminatory.
When: Monday (June 16, 2025) for the ruling; February (Trump administration slashed funding); April (lawsuit filed); last week (Senate committee hearing).
Where: United States.
Why: The cuts targeted research with perceived connections to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), which the judge ruled as unlawful racial and LGBTQ+ discrimination; part of an effort to shrink the federal government and national debt.
How: US district judge William Young issued a ruling in response to a lawsuit filed by health experts and Democratic-led states.