Federal Judge Rules DOGE Humanities Grants Terminations Unlawful

District Judge Colleen McMahon said that the department’s actions violated the Constitution and involved ‘blatant’ discrimination.
Federal Judge Rules DOGE Humanities Grants Terminations Unlawful
Elon Musk on the South Lawn of the White House on March 9, 2025. Samuel Corum/Getty Images
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A federal judge ruled on May 7 that the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE’s) termination of hundreds of humanities grants last year was unconstitutional and involved “blatant” discrimination.

In April 2025, the Trump administration axed more than 1,400 grants, amounting to more than $100 million in congressionally appropriated funds awarded to scholars, writers, research institutions, and other humanities organizations.

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Guy Birchall
Guy Birchall
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Guy Birchall is a UK-based journalist covering a wide range of national stories with a particular interest in freedom of expression and social issues.