DOJ Wins Court Battle to Slash $800M in Violence Reduction Grants
Sarah Johnson
July 9, 2025
Brief
Federal judge allows DOJ to rescind $800M in grants for violence reduction, sparking debate over community impact and executive power.
In a contentious ruling on Monday, a federal judge greenlit the Trump administration’s move to yank nearly $800 million in Department of Justice (DOJ) grants aimed at curbing violence and supporting crime victims. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta, while slamming the DOJ’s decision as "shameful," ruled that the court lacked jurisdiction to block the cancellation of over 360 grant awards, dismissing the case brought by five organizations.
Mehta didn’t mince words, noting the DOJ’s actions could "harm communities and individuals vulnerable to crime and violence." Yet, he argued that sympathy alone doesn’t win in court. The DOJ justified the cuts as a strategic pivot, redirecting funds to bolster law enforcement operations, tackle violent crime, and aid victims of trafficking and sexual assault.
The lawsuit, spearheaded by Democracy Forward Foundation and Perry Law, claimed the grant terminations violated due process and Congress’s appropriation powers. Affected organizations reported layoffs, program shutdowns, and severed community ties due to the sudden loss of funds. The DOJ, however, brushed it off as a "run-of-the-mill contract dispute," insisting the terminations were lawful and the funds would be repurposed.
This decision raises tough questions about balancing executive priorities with community needs, leaving many wondering if the redirected funds will truly deliver justice or just deepen the cracks in already vulnerable systems.
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Editor's Comments
The DOJ’s pulling $800M from violence prevention programs faster than a politician dodging a tough question. Judge Mehta calls it 'shameful,' yet the gavel drops in favor of the executive branch. Meanwhile, communities are left holding the bag—empty, of course. Is this a bold law-and-order play or just bureaucratic sleight-of-hand? Either way, it’s like canceling the fire department to fund a new police car wash.
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