Trump admin blocks $1.25 million in LGBTQ, DEI grants, which may violate federal law'A separation of powers issue,' that raises questions about Impoundment Control Act
https://www.washingtonblade.com/2025/09/24/exclusive-trump-admin-blocks-1-25-million-in-lgbtq-dei-grants-which-may-violate-federal-law/ 🔗Washington Blade - Joe Reberkenny
September 24, 2025
The Trump administration has withheld $1.25 million in congressionally appropriated funds from 20 organizations focused on projects related to LGBTQ and other underrepresented groups in a move that may violate federal law, according to multiple sources.
The 2025 grants included three for LGBTQ-related projects.
Robert L. Glicksman, a law professor at George Washington University, said without notifying Congress of a recommendation to change the grants — and a subsequent passage of legislation to reappropriate the funding — this might constitute a violation of the Constitution.
"The president has no inherent authority to refuse to spend funds appropriated by Congress," Glicksman said. "Congress has the control of the purse under Article I of the Constitution. Any attempt by the president to ignore congressional instructions to spend funds presents a separation of powers issue."
He added that if the Trump administration is doing this without complying with the law, the implications are serious.
"What seems to be going on here is the president's determination that he knows better about what federal money should be spent on than Congress does. He just doesn't have the prerogative to make that determination."-------------------------------
