Keep Up With Global Black News

Sign up to our newsletter to get the latest updates and events from the leading Afro-Diaspora publisher straight to your inbox.

BY Kofi Oppong Kyekyeku, 5:01am July 10, 2025,

Judge upholds Trump administration’s decision to revoke $800M in DOJ grants

by Kofi Oppong Kyekyeku, 5:01am July 10, 2025,
Donald Trump
Donald Trump -- Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore

A federal judge has ruled in favor of the Trump administration’s decision to revoke nearly $800 million in federal grants aimed at reducing violence and supporting crime victims, despite acknowledging the severe consequences the move could have on vulnerable communities.

In a decision handed down Monday, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta denied a preliminary injunction sought by five nonprofit organizations and approved the Justice Department’s motion to dismiss the case. While sharply critical of the DOJ’s action, Mehta said the court lacked jurisdiction to intervene and that the plaintiffs had failed to demonstrate a constitutional violation.

“Defendants’ rescinding of these awards is shameful. It is likely to harm communities and individuals vulnerable to crime and violence,” Mehta wrote in his opinion. “But displeasure and sympathy are not enough in a court of law.”

READ ALSO: Trump administration freezes $6 billion in education grants, citing “radical leftwing agenda”

The now-cancelled grants, over 360 in total, were withdrawn in April by the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs. The agency justified the decision by stating its intention to realign priorities to focus more directly on law enforcement support, anti-violence initiatives, and assistance for American victims of human trafficking and sexual violence.

Watch a recent episode of The BreakDown podcast below and subscribe to our channel PanaGenius TV for latest episodes.

The lawsuit, filed by the Democracy Forward Foundation and Perry Law Firm, argued the abrupt revocation of funding was unconstitutional and procedurally unjust. Plaintiffs claimed the decision bypassed due process and infringed on the separation of powers, asserting that only Congress has the authority to appropriate such funds.

Many of the affected organizations have already reported severe consequences: layoffs, shuttered programs, and severed ties with local community partners.

The five plaintiffs had sought class-action status to represent all recipients impacted by the cancellation. Their cause received backing from at least 18 state attorneys general and the District of Columbia, along with several cities and prosecutors whose programs for crime victims or alternatives to prosecution were defunded.

Despite the widespread support, the Justice Department maintained in court filings that its actions were lawful. “There [is] no legal basis for the Court to order DOJ to restore lawfully terminated grants and keep paying for programs that the Executive Branch views as inconsistent with the interests of the United States,” the agency argued, describing the issue as a “run-of-the-mill contract dispute” more appropriate for another court.

Neither the DOJ nor Democracy Forward issued immediate comments on the ruling, AP reported earlier.

READ ALSO: Obama, Bush and Bono decry USAID shutdown, blame Trump administration

Last Edited by:Kofi Oppong Kyekyeku Updated: July 10, 2025

Conversations

Close

Must Read

Connect with us

Join our Mailing List to Receive Updates

Face2face Africa | Afrobeatz+ | BlackStars

Keep Up With Global Black News and Events

Sign up to our newsletter to get the latest updates and events from the leading Afro-Diaspora publisher straight to your inbox, plus our curated weekly brief with top stories across our platforms.