WASHINGTON — A collaborative lawsuit has been submitted in federal court imploring the reversal of funding cuts initiated by Elon Musk, adviser to former President Donald Trump, and enacted through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). This legal proceeding, lodged at the U.S. District Court in Portland, Oregon, was spearheaded by the Federation of State Humanities Councils alongside the Oregon Council for the Humanities. Named as defendants in the case are DOGE, its acting administrator Amy Gleason, and the NEH.
The plaintiffs seek judicial intervention to counteract what they describe as a dire threat to the established federal support for the humanities, requesting the reestablishment of the funding originally designated by Congress. They argue this move marks a detrimental twist, driven by DOGE, in the historically robust collaboration between state and federal entities aimed at bolstering the humanities.
The lawsuit asserts that DOGE and the NEH overstepped their legal bounds in terminating funding streams decreed by Congress. This cessation of funds notably occurred in April, following an executive order from President Trump, which led to substantial staffing reductions at the NEH, reportedly exceeding 80%.
This scenario reflects broader initiatives by Trump’s administration, which also include cultural landmarks such as the Smithsonian Institution, Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the National Endowment of the Arts in their endeavors to streamline federal operations. These efforts aligned with Trump’s broader aspirations to curtails “discrimination” related to programs seen as fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The lawsuit filed by the humanities organizations underscores the impact by stating DOGE effectively “halted” essential functions of the state humanities councils by terminating their grant program. This action, they argue, significantly hindered operations this spring, forcing them to grapple with unanticipated funding gaps.
The case marks a culmination in a series of judicial efforts instituted by groups dedicated to the humanities, historical inquiry, and library management, aiming primarily to halt funding reductions and avert the dissolution of pivotal federal agencies. The timing of these cuts is particularly disruptive as numerous state councils and libraries were ramping up their summer programming and starting to plan events in anticipation of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence next year.
Further legal actions have emerged, including a request for a temporary injunction this week from the American Council of Learned Societies, the American Historical Association, and the Modern Language Association in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. They argue that these reductions and potential dismantling of the NEH infringe upon the established separation of powers.
Currently, pending requests for commentary from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the White House regarding these legal proceedings have not been addressed.