Supreme Court greenlights Trump to slash $783M in research funding in DEI crusade

The Supreme Court ruled in a split decision Thursday that the Trump administration can cut hundreds of millions of dollars in research funding as part of its crusade against diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

The court lifted a lower court's order that blocked $783 million in cuts made by the National Institutes of Health that were meant to align with President Donald Trump’s agenda. Trump administration guidance on future funding remained blocked.

The divided court ruling was made on a split decision, with Chief Justice John Roberts joining the three liberal justices in opposing.

The Trump administration can move forward with canceling hundreds of grants as a lawsuit proceeds. States and public health advocates have said the cuts will inflict “incalculable losses in public health and human life.”

Millions in NIH research funding specifically targeting projects and grants that support DEI are being eliminated in line with the administration’s priorities.