A U.S. judge has directed the Trump administration to reinstate almost $12 million in federal funding to the American Academy of Pediatrics, reversing a decision that cut off support for programs serving children and families across the country.
The order, issued late Sunday by U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell in Washington, D.C., grants a preliminary injunction sought by the pediatrics group. Howell concluded that the American Academy of Pediatrics had presented sufficient evidence to show the Department of Health and Human Services likely acted with a “retaliatory motive” when it canceled the grants in December.
In her decision, Howell stressed that the dispute is not about settling policy disagreements between the government and the medical organization. “This is not a case about whether AAP or HHS is right or even has the better position on vaccinations and gender-affirming care for children, or any other public health policy,” she wrote. “This is a case about whether the federal government has exercised power in a manner designed to chill public health policy debate by retaliating against a leading and generally trusted pediatrician member professional organization focused on improving the health of children.”
The funding at issue covered seven grants that underpinned a wide range of public health initiatives. Those programs included efforts to reduce sudden unexpected infant deaths, expand access to pediatric care in rural areas, and provide support to adolescents dealing with substance use and mental health issues.
AAP has argued that the grants were terminated as punishment for its outspoken criticism of the administration’s health policies. HHS, however, told the organization in written notices that the programs no longer aligned with departmental priorities and had rejected claims that the cuts were retaliatory.
The conflict has unfolded amid growing tension between the pediatrics group and federal health leaders. AAP has consistently backed childhood vaccination programs and has openly challenged HHS positions on the issue. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who previously played a prominent role in the anti-vaccine movement, has overseen sweeping changes to federal vaccine guidance. Last year, AAP issued its own COVID-19 vaccine recommendations that differed significantly from those adopted by the government.
The organization has also defended access to gender-affirming care for young people, criticizing HHS policies it says interfere with the doctor-patient relationship.
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In granting the injunction, Howell said AAP demonstrated that losing the funding would cause irreparable harm and that keeping the programs running serves the public interest while the lawsuit proceeds.
Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, which represents AAP, welcomed the ruling. She said it affirms that “no administration gets to silence doctors, undermine public health, or put kids at risk, and we will not stop fighting until this unlawful retaliation is fully ended.”
A spokesperson for HHS and attorneys for the department declined to comment, according to an Associated Press report.
