Why California universities must fight Trump in court

Los Angeles Times via Yahoo! News ^ | Sat, August 30, 2025 at 7:00 AM CDT | Erwin Chemerinsky

[E. Pluribus Unum]

It is inexplicable that, rather than fighting back against the Trump administration illegally cutting off hundreds of millions in research funds, reports now suggest that the University of California system is seeking to instead negotiate a deal, potentially giving in to high-level extortion. Harvard University has fought back, filed lawsuits, and won in court so far. It is not too late for the University of California to walk away from the bargaining table and take the Trump administration to court instead.

According to a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) site in early June, the Trump administration had already frozen $324 million in grants earmarked for University of California researchers. In actuality, the figure was likely much higher due to the DOGE site being incomplete and also failing to include critical sub-grants. Then on Aug. 1, the Trump administration illegally suspended an additional $584 million in federal funds due to UCLA.

Federal district court Judge Rita F. Lin in San Francisco found that the suspension and termination of these grants by several U.S. agencies violated federal law because it was done in an arbitrary manner without any semblance of meaningful explanation or fair process.

The court also found that the termination of these grants violated the 1st Amendment because the choice to do so was based on the perceived viewpoint of the research, including scanning documents for the word “diversity” and then cutting off grants that used it — even instances when the term intended to explain the diversity of plant life or microbial colonies. Last week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit came to the same conclusion and upheld the preliminary injunction requiring that funds granted by these agencies be restored.

This is a lawsuit that was brought by volunteer lawyers — I am co-counsel — on...

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TOPICS: Education
KEYWORDS: california; lawfare

[E. Pluribus Unum]

The court also found that the termination of these grants violated the 1st Amendment because the choice to do so was based on the perceived viewpoint of the research, including scanning documents for the word “diversity” and then cutting off grants that used it

I voted for this.

[Regulator]

Oh, Mad Erwin is worried about UC’s “Rights” now?

He’s never been concerned with the Second Amendment Rights of pretty much anyone, and loves to babblespeak his version of reality against it.

The UC is at this point in history nothing more then an Anti-White group of people who hijacked an institution created by the very people they revile. He’s the poster child for that group.

[BenLurkin]

Funding research to promote diversity would be unconstitutional in the first place.

[whitney69]

“I voted for this.”

Government grants are not automatic. The vast majority are awarded through a competitive application process where you must meet specific eligibility requirements and be selected over other applicants. Automatic systems are used only for some aspects of the grant lifecycle, like payment disbursement, and do not guarantee an award.

It also does not guarantee the continuance of it. So complaining because someone under control of them decides to resend them after the initial obligation has been completed is easily within their control. The colleges need to sh— or get off the pot. That’s easier and why other colleges “made deals.”

wy69

[Fledermaus]

Pay for your own research. Get private companies to pay for it. That’s how it used to be.

Why should I care?

[j.havenfarm]

We have subsidized way too much activity under the guise of grant all across the government. We should terminate as many as possible

[Fledermaus]

Save so much money.

[Mark]

Just ask each mayor in each state if they want ICE and federal agents in their city. If answer is NO, then announce there will be no help and let the gang members and all illegals know where they can go with no fear of federal arrests.

[texas booster]

Massive Fraudulent Enrollments in California Community Colleges: What's Happening?

Yeah these fraud students (might be bots?) are stealing from us nonstop.

[BFW]

The government gives money away, the demoRAT government gives money away and activly flushes money down the toilet like they print it..............