A federal judge ruled on Thursday that the termination of hundreds of humanities grants last year by the Trump administration's so-called Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) was unconstitutional and involved blatant discrimination. In April 2025, the administration terminated more than 1,400 grants worth over $100 million in congressionally appropriated funds awarded to scholars, writers, research institutions, and other humanities organizations.
Background of the Ruling
The terminations were part of a cost-cutting drive led by billionaire Elon Musk at Doge. U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon condemned the actions, stating that the government engaged in blatant viewpoint discrimination. The judge noted that the terminations violated the First Amendment's free speech protections and the Fifth Amendment's equal protection component. Additionally, the ruling emphasized that Doge lacked the legal authority to terminate the grants.
Discriminatory Criteria
Judge McMahon wrote that what mattered to Doge was not whether a grant had scholarly merit or complied with its terms, but whether it concerned a minority group. The criteria for termination included race and ethnicity—such as grants concerning Black, Asian, Latino, and Indigenous communities—as well as national origin, immigration status, religion, sex, and sexual orientation.
Use of AI in Decision-Making
The judge also addressed Doge staff's use of the artificial intelligence tool ChatGPT to rationalize some grant terminations. She stated that the government cannot escape liability by scapegoating ChatGPT. Rights advocates have raised concerns about the broader impact of Trump's attacks on educational and arts institutions, diversity initiatives, and historical places, warning that such actions could undo decades of social progress.
Political Context
Trump has alleged that many cultural, arts, and educational institutions are bastions of liberalism and anti-American values, and has threatened to cut federal funding over issues such as pro-Palestinian protests, transgender policies, climate initiatives, and diversity programs. His targets have included elite universities, the Smithsonian Institution, the Kennedy Center, and broadcasters like NPR and PBS.
