Judge allows Trump DOJ to rescind $800 million in crime prevention grants

The Trump administration scored a legal victory on Monday as a federal judge allowed the Department of Justice (DOJ) to revoke nearly $800 million in grants for programs supporting violence reduction and crime victims. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta in Washington denied a preliminary injunction sought by five organizations against the DOJ’s cancellation of more than 360 grant awards and dismissed the case.

In his ruling, Mehta described the DOJ’s actions as “shameful” but ultimately concluded that the court lacked jurisdiction and the organizations had failed to state a constitutional violation. He acknowledged that the rescinding of these awards could harm communities and individuals vulnerable to crime and violence, but emphasized that legal standards must be met.

The DOJ’s Office of Justice Programs terminated over $800 million in grants in April as part of a shift in priorities to provide more direct support to specific law enforcement operations, combat violent crime, and aid American victims of trafficking and sexual assault. The Democracy Forward Foundation and the Perry Law firm filed the lawsuit, arguing that the grant terminations lacked due process, clarity, and violated the constitutional separation of powers.

The loss of federal funding led to layoffs, program closures, and the loss of community partnerships for many of the affected organizations. The Justice Department defended its actions in court filings, stating that there was no legal basis for the court to order the restoration of terminated grants and continued funding for programs that the executive branch deemed inconsistent with national interests.

Mehta’s ruling and the DOJ’s justification for redirecting grant funds have sparked controversy and raised concerns about the impact on vulnerable communities. The case was deemed by the Justice Department as a “run-of-the-mill contract dispute” that should be addressed in a different court.

Overall, the legal battle over the revocation of grants highlights the complexities of government funding allocations and the challenges faced by organizations reliant on federal support. The decision underscores the importance of legal procedures and constitutional considerations in the administration of justice and the allocation of public resources.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.