A class action lawsuit was filed Monday by the Authors Guild, independent scholars, and writers against the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and officials within the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) for terminating millions in committed grants from Congressional funds. The lawsuit argues these actions violate the Administrative Procedure Act, the separation of powers, and freedom of expression, exceeding agencies' congressionally granted authority. It seeks to stop mass grant terminations, restore funds, and require the NEH to operate according to Congress's intent to preserve multicultural artistic heritage and support new ideas. The grants were canceled following extreme cuts by DOGE under the Trump administration, affecting recipients under programs like the Public Scholar and Fellowship initiatives.
This lawsuit matters because it challenges the executive branch's authority to unilaterally revoke congressionally appropriated funds for the humanities, directly impacting scholars, writers, and cultural institutions that rely on NEH grants. The NEH has awarded over $6 billion since 1965, supporting museums, historical sites, universities, and libraries. The case highlights ongoing tensions between the administration and the arts and humanities community, with the Authors Guild joining other humanities organizations that have already sued over the dismantling of the NEH. The outcome could set a precedent for how federal arts and humanities funding is protected from executive overreach.