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The Case That Triggered Constitutional Confrontation
The immediate catalyst for Gorsuch’s unprecedented warning emerged from a complex dispute over federal research funding that illustrates the broader ideological battles reshaping American institutions. In a narrow 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to cut millions of dollars in National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants that supported projects tied to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, gender identity research, and COVID-19 studies.
This ruling represents a significant victory for the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle what it characterizes as ideologically driven federal programs. The NIH, recognized as the world’s largest source of public biomedical research funding, will no longer award grants based on race or DEI objectives under this decision, fundamentally altering how federal research dollars are allocated.
