A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to reinstate some of the research funding it cut from the University of California, Los Angeles, in late July and August. The order marks a partial victory for the University of California system, as it also faces a separate $1 billion settlement demand from the White House over alleged antisemitism on campus.
U.S. District Judge Rita F. Lin ruled Tuesday that the National Science Foundation (NSF) violated her June court order, which had barred the agency from terminating certain UC research grants. Lin’s latest order requires the NSF to “reinstate the suspended grants” that were halted between July 30 and Aug. 12.
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300 NSF grants affected
The decision impacts about 300 NSF grants — part of a broader freeze on more than 800 federal awards to UCLA from the NSF, National Institutes of Health and Department of Energy. The suspensions froze more than $584 million in funding.
While the ruling restores some grants, it does not cover the NIH or Department of Energy awards, which were not part of Lin’s original injunction. The administration has one week to comply but could appeal the decision.
Larger battle over $1 billion demand
The funding freeze is tied to a larger dispute between the White House and UCLA. The Trump administration is demanding that California’s public university system pay $1 billion and agree to sweeping changes to campus protest rules and admissions standards to address alleged civil rights violations, including antisemitism.
Gov. Gavin Newsom condemned the demand, calling it “extortion” and “ransom.”
“Donald Trump is trying to silence academic freedom,” Newsom said. “He’s attacking one of the most important public institutions in the United States of America. We will not be complicit in this kind of attack.”
White House response: ‘Bring it on, Gavin’
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt pushed back against Newsom’s criticism.
“Bring it on, Gavin,” she said during Tuesday’s press briefing. “This administration is well within its legal right to do this and we want to ensure that our colleges and our universities are respecting the First Amendment rights and the religious liberties of students on their campuses, and UCLA has failed to do that.”
UCLA’s recent settlement with Jewish group
On July 29, several Jewish students and faculty members at UCLA reached a settlement in a discrimination lawsuit accusing the university of allowing protesters to block Jewish people from entering campus. Under the agreement, the University of California will pay more than $6 million.
According to a joint statement from both sides, the deal includes $50,000 in damages to the four plaintiffs, $3.6 million to cover their legal fees, and $2.33 million to organizations that focus on fighting antisemitism.
Regents hold emergency meeting
The University of California Board of Regents met in closed session Monday to discuss the $1 billion demand. The board has not yet announced whether it will sue.
If the university complies, the administration says UCLA could regain access to federal research grants.
