Supreme Court lets Trump slash $783M NIH diversity research funding
Supreme Court Allows Trump Administration to Cut $783M in NIH Grants
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In a significant victory for the Trump administration, the Supreme Court issued a 5-4 order clearing the way for the administration to slash over $783 million in National Institutes of Health (NIH) research grants. These grants were tied to diversity, equity, inclusion initiatives, LGBTQ issues, and other controversial areas.
The majority order, which was unsigned, stated that the NIH “may proceed with terminating existing grants,” while also maintaining a partial block on issuing new directives.
This decision aligns with Trump’s broader efforts to roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion programs across the federal government.
The facade of the Supreme Court building at dusk is shown in this file photo. The Trump admin got the green light to cut nearly $800M in DEI-related health grants at the National Institutes of Health. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
The Supreme Court’s decision overturns previous rulings by lower courts that had blocked the cuts. This ruling follows a legal battle that began when U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley of Massachusetts deemed the administration’s actions as “arbitrary and capricious.”
The Justice Department argued that maintaining the injunction would hinder NIH’s ability to allocate research funds according to its priorities.
Opponents of the cuts have criticized them as being ideologically motivated. The American Public Health Association raised concerns about the impact on biomedical research and accused the administration of prioritizing ideology over scientific merit.
A seal that reads “U.S. Public Health Service” adorns a building on the campus of the National Institutes of Health in Maryland. The Trump admin scored a victory at the Supreme Court on Thursday to cut $783M in DEI-related grants. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Newsmakers)
A coalition of Democrat-led states, led by Massachusetts, argued that patients should not suffer as a result of political decisions.
News outlets have highlighted the significance of the Supreme Court’s ruling. The Associated Press described it as allowing Trump to cut $783 million in research funding as part of an anti-DEI agenda.
The Supreme Court cleared the way for the Trump administration’s NIH to cut $783M in DEI-related grants on Thursday. (Getty/Stock)
Research groups have expressed concerns about the potential impact of these cuts on scientific inquiry and medical progress. The decision could disrupt vital research on diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
