Federal Judge Stops Trump Administration from Ending Sexual Education Funding

Thu Oct 30 2025 05:38:47 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A federal judge in Oregon has temporarily barred the Trump administration from withdrawing funding for sexual education programs that include diverse gender identities. The ruling comes amid a lawsuit filed by multiple states challenging the administration's actions.

U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken granted a preliminary injunction against the Trump administration's efforts to revoke federal sexual education grants based on curriculum guidelines addressing various gender identities. Sixteen states, led by Oregon, filed a lawsuit asserting that the administration's actions violated federal laws and jeopardized crucial funding for health education programming. The judge noted insufficient evidence from the administration to justify the changes in funding conditions.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A federal judge in Oregon has prevented President Donald Trump's administration from withdrawing sexual education funding due to curricula that mention diverse gender identities.

U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken issued the preliminary injunction on Monday as part of a lawsuit filed against the Department of Health and Human Services by 16 states and the District of Columbia. They argued that the administration's actions violated the separation of powers and federal law.

The lawsuit claims the department is attempting to compel states to “rewrite sexual health curricula to erase entire categories of students,” framing the action as part of a broader attack on transgender and gender-diverse youth. The administration contended in court filings that Health and Human Services has the authority to set conditions for funding grants.

Judge Aiken stated that the department “provided no evidence that it made factual findings or considered the statutory objectives and express requirements,” emphasizing the lack of reasonable justification for new grant conditions.

The department has not responded to comments but previously stated its commitment to eliminating what it terms “radical gender and DEI ideology” from federal programs.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, who co-led the lawsuit with Oregon and Washington, expressed satisfaction with the ruling, emphasizing the protection of funding for crucial health education programs.

This injunction follows the administration's earlier actions, which included a warning to states regarding the compliance of sexual education materials with new regulations prohibiting discussions around gender ideology.

As a consequence of this legal action, the withdrawal of funding could have major implications, potentially affecting over $35 million in federal grants spanning various educational health programs. The plaintiff states argue that these funds are essential for providing complete and medically accurate sexual education.

Among the plaintiff states, the focus is on proving that current curricula align with requirements under federal law to ensure comprehensive sex education remains accessible to young people.