Trump Grants Lawsuit: Judge Rules Against Admin
- A federal judge ruled in favor of Denver, Colorado, in a lawsuit against the Trump administration regarding federal transportation grants.
- The dispute arose after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued a memo in April requiring grant recipients to comply with federal policies on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and...
- the court order granting the preliminary injunction stated that the Trump administration was violating the Separation of Powers principle by attempting to condition the disbursement of funds...
A federal judge decisively ruled against the Trump management, protecting Denver’s federal transportation funding. The court found the administration unlawfully attempted to withhold $4 billion in grants, a move stemming from disputes over diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. This important victory for Denver, solidified by the court’s rejection of the administration’s overreach, ensures critical infrastructure projects can proceed.The ruling also highlighted the contentious relationship between federal policies and local government compliance. News Directory 3 covers this and similar political showdowns, informing readers on decisions that reflect shifts in governing dynamics. Eager for more updates? Discover what’s next for Denver’s transportation plans.
Denver Secures Court Win Against Trump Administration Over Federal Funding
Updated June 08, 2025
A federal judge ruled in favor of Denver, Colorado, in a lawsuit against the Trump administration regarding
federal transportation grants. The ruling prevents the administration from withholding $4 billion in
transportation funding.
The dispute arose after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued a memo in April requiring grant recipients to
comply with federal policies on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and cooperate with U.S. Immigration and
Customs Enforcement (ICE). Denver and other local governments challenged these requirements, arguing they were
“unlawful and politically motivated funding conditions.”
President Donald Trump participates in a roundtable discussion at the White House in Washington, D.C., June 5,
2025. (REUTERS/Kent Nishimura / Reuters)
the court order granting the preliminary injunction stated that the Trump administration was violating the
Separation of Powers principle by attempting to condition the disbursement of funds on grounds not authorized by
Congress, but rather on Executive Branch policy.
Snow covered RTD union Station stop in Denver, Colorado on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post
via Getty Images / getty Images)
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston welcomed the court’s decision, expressing gratitude for the swift resolution.
“Denver follows all laws – federal, state, and local – and it should not be so much to ask the White House to
do the same,” Johnston saeid in a statement. “We appreciate the court’s swift and precise ruling protecting the
federal funding that Denverites deserve.”
President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a meeting with German Chancellor friedrich Merz in the Oval
Office at the White House on June 05, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty images / Getty
Images)
This ruling is among several recent court losses for the Trump administration, including a separate order
requiring the restoration of funding to AmeriCorps and the rehiring of employees. The judge in that case also
found the administration’s actions to be in violation of federal law.
What’s next
The ruling ensures that Denver will continue to receive federal transportation grants, allowing the city to
move forward with planned infrastructure projects and maintain it’s transportation systems.