Judge shuts down Trump admin’s attack on humanities

A federal judge in Oregon has temporarily blocked the Donald Trump administration from canceling dozens of National Endowment for the Humanities grants to state and local humanities councils. Knewz.com has learned that the decision follows the court’s finding that the cuts, made earlier this year as part of a broader cost-cutting effort, were likely unconstitutional. The ruling preserves funding for now, while a lawsuit challenging the cancelations moves forward.

DOGE and NEH canceled multiple humanities grants

In April, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and the National Endowment for the Humanities canceled multiple grants awarded to humanities councils across the country. These grants, distributed annually, fund public programs, historical projects and community initiatives through state-level humanities councils. It has been reported that the move was part of cost-reduction measures linked to President Trump’s fiscal agenda. The funding halt prompted an immediate backlash from cultural organizations. The Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Oregon Council for the Humanities filed a lawsuit in May seeking to reverse the decision.

U.S. District Judge finds likely constitutional violation

U.S. District Judge Michael H. Simon, appointed by former President Barack Obama, issued a temporary stay on the action taken by the National Endowment for the Humanities. In his written opinion, Simon concluded the plaintiffs were “likely to succeed on their claim that the withholding of the funds at issue in this case is unconstitutional.” The opinion further said that the defendants’ conduct reflects a “deliberate decision to flout Congressional command and refuse to spend appropriated funds” and that “the United States Constitution exclusively grants the power of the purse to Congress, not the President.”

Oregon Council for the Humanities’ director celebrates decision

Adam Davis, executive director of the Oregon Council for the Humanities, called the court’s decision “heartening and motivating.” Said David, “This is one step — among many that are needed — in the large, ongoing endeavor to knit our communities and the country closer together.” He further said that the defendants were “likely violating statutory obligations and principles of separation of powers that have existed for decades.”

Government barred from disposing of the funds

The injunction halts the government from “disbursing, encumbering, loaning, granting or otherwise disposing of the funds committed to Plaintiffs” until the case is resolved. The court also denied the National Endowment for the Humanities’ request to pause the injunction, stating the agency had not met the legal standard to justify such a stay. For now, humanities councils across the nation retain access to their funding, allowing them to keep public programs running while awaiting a final decision.

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