Washington’s attorney general filed a motion in U.S. District Court in Seattle on Thursday, requesting that a federal judge hold the Trump administration in contempt for allegedly revoking a grant intended for Seattle Children’s Hospital. This grant was designated to support groundbreaking research into gender-affirming care interventions.
The motion claims that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) canceled the grant despite a standing court order. In a letter sent to researchers, the NIH stated that the award “no longer effectuates agency priorities.”
The letter further criticized research programs focused on gender identity, asserting they are often unscientific, lack a clear return on investment, and do not significantly improve public health. The NIH emphasized its policy of not prioritizing such research initiatives. Additionally, a second letter received on Tuesday indicated that NIH was rescinding over $200,000 from Seattle Children’s, which may require the hospital to repay previously allocated funds.
At the time of the grant’s cancellation on February 28, a temporary restraining order was in effect, blocking the implementation of President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at halting federal funding for institutions providing gender-affirming care to transgender youth. This restraining order was issued in response to a lawsuit filed by Washington, along with other states and medical professionals.
Later that evening, Judge Lauren King issued a preliminary injunction preventing the Trump administration from enforcing the executive order, a ruling that extends to the four states involved in the lawsuit: Washington, Oregon, Minnesota, and Colorado. On the same day, the Department of Government Efficiency announced on social media that NIH had canceled grants totaling $10.9 million.
When the attorney general’s office inquired about the funding revocation, Justice Department attorneys contended that the grant termination did not breach Judge King’s orders, claiming NIH acted within its authority to terminate the grant, according to William McGinty from the attorney general’s office.
Meanwhile, the Health Resources and Services Administration informed grant recipients that it is reviewing $367 million in awards to 59 children’s hospitals nationwide related to gender-affirming care. In a declaration filed in court, the lead researcher associated with the canceled grant stated that this action is detrimental to the health of transgender and gender-expansive patients. “It conveys that the healthcare needs and vulnerabilities of transgender youth are insignificant,” the researcher expressed.
The attorney general’s office is now urging Judge King to hold the administration in contempt and to reimburse attorney fees for their efforts regarding this issue. McGinty has requested a hearing for next Friday. This case is not the first instance of the Trump administration facing allegations of circumventing court orders; a judge recently noted that the administration continued to withhold foreign aid despite a temporary injunction by finding alternative justifications for the funding halt.
