By: TPA News Desk | editor@thepointafricanews.com

WASHINGTON D.C. – A U.S. federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from implementing steep cuts to federal research funding specifically designated for universities by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). This judicial intervention provides a temporary reprieve for institutions across the country that rely on these funds for critical advancements in national defense and military readiness.

The ruling comes amid a broader series of legal challenges against the administration’s directives impacting federal funding for research and other programs. While other recent court actions have focused on cuts to National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, this latest development directly addresses funding from the Pentagon.

Leading higher education associations, including the American Council on Education (ACE), the Association of American Universities (AAU), and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), confirmed on Monday, June 16, 2025, that they had filed a lawsuit to block a new DoD policy that would slash support for university research deemed critical to national security. The temporary block by the federal judge indicates an initial legal victory for these institutions.

Universities argue that such cuts would cause “irreparable harm” to ongoing research programs, potentially leading to layoffs, suspension of clinical trials, and laboratory closures. The funding in question often covers “indirect costs,” which encompass essential administrative and facility expenses necessary to support complex research, from maintaining specialized labs and equipment to ensuring compliance with safety regulations. The administration has frequently characterized these as mere “overhead,” a view strongly contested by the academic community.

The decision underscores the ongoing legal battles between the Trump administration and various sectors challenging its executive actions regarding federal spending. Universities and research organizations contend that these unilateral funding reductions violate established federal laws and undermine the nation’s scientific and technological advancement, particularly in areas vital for national defense. The temporary block ensures that, for now, these crucial defense research projects can continue, pending further legal proceedings. Sources