Court Orders Trump Admin to Restore Mental Health Grants
In a major legal setback for the Trump administration, a federal judge has ordered the immediate restoration of millions in school-based mental health grants—funding originally approved by Congress in the wake of the 2022 Uvalde school shooting that claimed 19 children and two teachers .
Mental Health Grants Halted Over DEI Concerns
The Trump administration abruptly froze $1 billion in mental health funding in May 2025, claiming the grants violated federal civil rights law by promoting “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) initiatives. Specifically, the Education Department objected to grant provisions that encouraged hiring more diverse school psychologists and counselors .
However, U.S. District Judge Kymberly K. Evanson in Seattle ruled Monday that the administration failed to follow its own procedural rules when canceling the grants. “The government did not provide a reasoned explanation for its decision,” she wrote, calling the cuts “arbitrary and capricious” under administrative law .
What Are the Mental Health Grants?
Authorized under the bipartisan Safer Communities Act passed after Uvalde, these federal grants were designed to expand access to school-based mental health services in communities nationwide. The program supports:
- Hiring licensed counselors, social workers, and psychologists
- Training teachers to recognize signs of trauma or distress
- Establishing crisis intervention teams in K–12 schools
- Partnering with local clinics for telehealth services
Over 5,000 schools in 16 states had already received funding before the sudden freeze.
Timeline of the Legal Battle
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 2025 | Education Department halts $1B in mental health grants, citing DEI concerns |
| July 2025 | 16 Democratic-led states file lawsuit challenging the cuts |
| Oct. 27, 2025 | Judge Evanson issues preliminary injunction ordering restoration |
| Oct. 30, 2025 | Deadline for Education Department to report compliance progress |
States React with Relief
“This ruling is a lifeline for our students,” said California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. “After years of pandemic trauma and rising anxiety, we cannot afford to lose these critical services.”
The court’s order applies only to the 16 plaintiff states—including Washington, New York, Illinois, and Colorado—but sets a powerful legal precedent that could influence future challenges in other regions.
Education Department Pushes Back
An Education Department spokesperson defended the original decision, stating the grants “incentivized racial preferences in hiring,” which they claim conflicts with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. However, legal experts note that promoting workforce diversity—without quotas or exclusion—is widely upheld as lawful.
“This wasn’t about civil rights,” said Dr. Lena Cho, education policy fellow at Brookings. “It was about rolling back DEI under the guise of legal compliance.”
What’s Next for School Mental Health?
School districts in affected states are now preparing to reactivate programs paused since May. Many had already laid off counselors or canceled training sessions due to funding uncertainty.
Advocates are urging Congress to pass legislation that would shield such grants from future political interference. “Mental health isn’t partisan,” said Marisa Franco of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. “Our kids’ well-being shouldn’t hinge on who’s in the White House.”
