Fact Check: "A federal judge ruled on a Monday in 2023 that some of the Trump administration’s grant terminations are 'void and illegal.'"
What We Know
On June 16, 2025, U.S. District Judge William Young ruled that the Trump administration's termination of several hundred research grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) was "void and illegal." The judge criticized the administration's actions as "arbitrary and capricious," stating that they did not adhere to established government rules and standards. The grants in question were primarily focused on topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), as well as health disparities affecting marginalized communities, including racial minorities and the LGBTQ community (AP News, NBC News).
Judge Young emphasized that the rationale behind the grant cancellations appeared to be rooted in prejudice, particularly against racial minorities and LGBTQ individuals, which he described as a form of racial discrimination (New York Times, Reuters). He ordered the restoration of funding for these grants, pending any appeals from the government (Stat News).
Analysis
The ruling by Judge Young is significant as it highlights the intersection of federal funding, public health research, and civil rights. The judge's comments during the ruling indicated a strong belief that the Trump administration's actions were not only unlawful but also discriminatory. He stated, “I’ve never seen government racial discrimination like this,” which underscores the severity of his findings (AP News, NBC News).
The sources reporting on this ruling are credible and include established news organizations such as the Associated Press, NBC News, and the New York Times. These outlets have a history of reliable reporting and adhere to journalistic standards. The coverage from these sources consistently reflects the judge's findings and the implications of the ruling, providing a comprehensive view of the situation (AP News, Reuters, New York Times).
However, it is important to note that the Trump administration's representatives have stated that they believe the cuts were justified and that the NIH has broad discretion in funding decisions. They argued that the grants in question did not meet scientific rigor standards (AP News, NBC News). This perspective, while presented, does not negate the judge's ruling but highlights the ongoing debate regarding the prioritization of research topics in federal funding.
Conclusion
The claim that a federal judge ruled that some of the Trump administration’s grant terminations are "void and illegal" is True. The ruling by Judge William Young explicitly stated that the cancellations were unlawful and raised serious concerns about discrimination against marginalized groups. The evidence from multiple credible sources supports this conclusion, and the judge's strong language regarding the motivations behind the grant terminations further solidifies the validity of the claim.
Sources
- Judge deems Trump's National Institutes of Health grant cuts illegal
- Judge rules some NIH grant cuts illegal, saying he's never seen government racial discrimination like this
- Judge says Trump administration hasn't fully followed federal spending
- Trump's Cuts to N.I.H. Grants Focused on Minority Groups
- Judge deems Trump's cuts to National Institutes of Health illegal
- Judge orders many NIH grants restored, calling cancellation unlawful
- Trump officials cutting $1bn in NIH grants is 'void and illegal', judge rules
- Billions in NIH research cuts ruled 'void and illegal' by federal judge
