In a significant legal development, a coalition of humanities organizations has initiated a federal lawsuit aimed at overturning recent funding cuts implemented by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Portland, Oregon, is brought forth by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Oregon Council for the Humanities, targeting DOGE, its acting administrator Amy Gleason, and the NEH.
The plaintiffs contend that the court should intervene to restore funding that was rightfully appropriated by Congress, framing this action as a defense against what they describe as an “imminent threat” to the nation’s historic commitment to supporting the humanities. The lawsuit highlights a perceived “disruption and attempted destruction” of a long-standing partnership between state and federal entities that has traditionally bolstered humanities programming.
According to the lawsuit, DOGE's actions have exceeded legal boundaries by terminating funding that Congress had mandated. In April, DOGE reportedly shut down funding initiatives and laid off over 80% of the NEH staff, an action linked to an executive order signed by then-President Donald Trump. This decision is seen as part of a broader agenda by the Trump administration to reduce federal involvement in cultural institutions.
The ramifications of these cuts are felt across various sectors, with several cultural entities, including the Smithsonian Institution and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, facing similar funding reductions. These moves are part of Trump's objective to downsize the federal government and eliminate initiatives perceived to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, which he has labeled as forms of “discrimination.”
The lawsuit highlights that the termination of funding leads to a “screeching halt” of core activities undertaken by humanities councils, jeopardizing their ability to operate effectively and serve the public. This legal action represents a continuation of efforts by humanities organizations and various associations involved in historical research, libraries, and related fields to resist funding cuts and the potential dissolution of essential federal agencies.
The current funding freeze coincides with a crucial moment as state councils and libraries prepare for significant programming initiatives, particularly those related to the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in the following year. The timely filing of this lawsuit underscores the urgent need to restore federal support for the humanities to ensure that commemorative activities and educational programs can proceed as planned.
As of Friday, attempts to elicit comments from both the National Endowment for the Humanities and the White House have not received immediate responses, leaving many uncertainties surrounding the future of federal funding for the humanities.
