In a scathing ruling from the bench today, United States District Judge William G. Young of Massachusetts struck down a directive from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) terminating billions in federal research grants. The public health institutions and health researcher plaintiffs who brought suit claimed that the federal government’s directives were politically motivated. They argued that protecting public health demanded continued research about diagnosing and treating deadly diseases and health conditions.
The government research grants had been ended by the feds, because the federal government claimed that they involved so-called illegal DEI – diversity, equity, and inclusion.
But the Ronald Reagan appointee disagreed, saying that he saw no evidence that research into health conditions affecting racial minorities and/or individuals who identified as transgender, for example, was unlawful. In so doing, Judge Young wholly rejected the notion that the public health research was discriminatory. Although his ruling is not yet on paper, his oral ruling becomes the law on this case, for now.
In his ruling, he said:
“Point me just anywhere in this record where it’s pointed out that any particular grant or group of grants is being used to support unlawful discrimination on the basis of race. From what I can see, it’s the reverse.”
The judge continued, saying that it was “appalling” that it’s “palpably clear that these directives and that the set of terminated grants here also are designed to frustrate, to stop research on the health” of LGBTQIA+ Americans. He went on to say that in his 40 years on the bench, he had “never seen evidence of racial discrimination like this.” As the New York Times reported on June 16, 2025, Judge Young also said of the Trump Administration’s directives:
“This represents racial discrimination and discrimination against America’s L.G.B.T.Q. community. . . . That’s what this is.”
His decision struck down those Trump Administration directives, resulting in an injunction. This means that Judge Young has stopped the NIH from withholding over a billion dollars to support medical research.
Recognizing the Trump Administration’s views, however, the judge stated that the government could take an immediate appeal of his decision.
Businesses in New York
While this ruling is only one judge’s view on the Trump Administration’s DEI stance, it follows other courts’ decisions. Even though it was an oral decision, it recognizes that simply having a focus on diversity, equity, or inclusion doesn’t make a health research initiative discriminatory on its face.
What New York companies should be doing, then, is continuing to follow the law.
Follow the New York Human Rights Law.
Follow Title VII, which is the federal anti-discrimination statute.
They haven’t changed, as we’ve been reminding everyone since the beginning of this Administration. The laws that identify what discrimination really is haven’t changed.
Next Steps
We expect Judge Young to issue a written ruling that will flesh out his analysis. In it, he likely will explain why he believes that it’s the Trump Administration – not the public health researchers – that is running afoul of anti-discrimination laws.
In the meantime, we can expect the federal government to appeal Judge Young’s decision. An appeal will go to the First Circuit Court of Appeals which is located in Boston, Massachusetts.
Questions?
If you have questions about this case or any other matter of discrimination, feel free to reach out. We’re here to make sense of the law.
Contact us at any time via email at info@coppolalegal.com or by phone at 716.839.9700.
