The DOGE-ing of the Humanities Is Being Reversed
The Trump administration hastily canceled research grants last year—but just hit a roadblock in court.
TL;DR
- A federal court ruled that the Trump administration overstepped its authority by terminating NEH grants.
- The cancellations were based on a haphazard search for terms like 'BIPOC' and 'gay', using AI and subjective labels.
- The ruling found the grant terminations violated the First and Fifth Amendments.
- Over 1,400 grants totaling more than $100 million could be reinstated.
- The court decision is seen by plaintiffs as a moral victory and an affirmation of the country's commitment to the humanities.
- The administration's actions are viewed as an attempt to sanitize American history and impose its values on knowledge institutions.
- The NEH, founded in 1965, is the only federal agency devoted to funding the humanities.