Pro-trans pediatric group wins $12 million as judge slams Kennedy...

[Jessica_Rose ✅]

Pro-trans pediatric group wins $12 million as judge slams Kennedy's "retaliatory" cuts

https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/01/pro-trans-pediatric-group-wins-12-million-as-judge-slams-kennedys-retaliatory-cuts/ 🔗

Greg Owen (14 Jan 2026)

A U.S. District Court judge sided with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) late Sunday night in a ruling that temporarily restores $12 million in funding to the group.

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy abruptly cancelled previously awarded grants worth $18 million to AAP in December, in what the children's health group called a "retaliatory move."

U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell in Washington, D.C. agreed, restoring a portion of the funding as AAP's lawsuit against the Trump administration plays out.

"This is not a case about whether AAP or HHS is right or even has the better position on vaccinations and gender-affirming care for children, or any other public health policy," Howell wrote in her decision.

"This is a case about whether the federal government has exercised power in a manner designed to chill public health policy debate by retaliating against a leading and generally trusted pediatrician member professional organization focused on improving the health of children," the judge continued.

Trump administration officials cited a range of reasons for the grant funding cuts, including AAP's use of "identity-based language" and references to racial disparities and "pregnant people."

But the cuts followed intense criticism by the AAP of Kennedy's changes to federal vaccine policy. The AAP is also a staunch supporter of gender-affirming care for trans youth.