The Department of Justice (DOJ) has terminated over 360 grant programs it deems misaligned with the agency’s core mission, including initiatives focused on “racial equity” and “toxic” masculinity, according to a department official.
Spearheaded by Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the move reflects an effort to redirect federal funding in accordance with the Trump administration’s priorities.
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DOJ spokesman Gates McGavick stated, “Under Attorney General Bondi’s leadership, the Department of Justice is committed to ensuring its resources are spent on arresting criminals, getting drugs off the streets, and crucial litigation. We will always protect victims of crime and legitimate law enforcement initiatives, but we will no longer spend millions on ‘listening sessions’ and ‘bridging socio-ecological contexts.’”
The DOJ has indicated that organizations whose grants have been discontinued have 30 days to appeal the decision by demonstrating that their programs directly aid victims of crime.
Many of the grants in question were awarded during the Biden administration. Examples cited by the DOJ include a $2 million grant from 2022 to a “feminist, culturally specific nonprofit organization” aimed at addressing “structural racism and toxic masculinities.” Another $5 million grant was allocated to a group promoting “racial equity in victim services” to conduct “listening sessions in targeted communities.”
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Additional canceled grants include a $1.5 million award for a film documenting Black police leaders intended to “promote racial equity in police practice,” a $1.5 million award for services for “former justice-involved individuals,” and a $1 million award focused on “bridging socio-ecological contexts” through community partnerships.
The decision to cut these grants signals a shift in the DOJ’s funding priorities under the current administration, emphasizing a focus on traditional law enforcement activities and direct support for crime victims.
The appeal process offers a pathway for affected organizations to potentially reinstate their funding if they can demonstrate a clear link to victim support.
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