Fifteen States Take Legal Action Against Trump Administration Over Mental Health Funding Cuts
On Friday, fifteen states filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, aiming to prevent cuts to critical funding for mental health programs in schools. This legal action is part of an ongoing conflict between Democratic-led states and the U.S. Department of Education regarding a grant program established after the tragic 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
The focus of this lawsuit is a $1 billion initiative that provides grants to school districts nationwide, helping them to hire and train more mental health professionals. State attorneys general from these fifteen states argue that the Trump administration is planning to unlawfully end this funding at the end of the month, despite a court order from December 2025 that prohibits such actions. They fear this could result in millions of dollars in lost resources for schools.
Leading the lawsuit is the Washington Attorney General, who expressed concern that the Trump administration is trying to circumvent the court’s order. He stated, “Our mission is clear: to fight for the well-being of Washington’s kids.” It’s estimated that the cancellation of these grants could cost Washington schools over $20 million.
Rhode Island’s Attorney General also spoke out, highlighting the unique challenges children face today, from feelings of loneliness to fears of violence. The mental health programs funded by these grants are designed to help students cope and thrive.
The Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant Program was established in response to increased concerns about student mental health. Following a school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, in 2022, which resulted in tragic loss, Congress allocated $1 billion to support the hiring of school-based mental health professionals. This effort received bipartisan support, with several Republican senators voicing their backing at the time.
However, in April 2025, the Trump administration informed grantees that funding would be cut due to conflicts with the administration’s priorities. This funding was crucial for training mental health professionals across 49 states, providing essential services in K-12 schools.
Officials from the Trump administration claimed the grants were being terminated due to perceived links to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Following this, a group of seventeen Democratic state attorneys general filed a lawsuit last July, which led to a court ruling in their favor. The court ordered the administration to halt its plans to discontinue the grants. Despite this ruling, reports indicate that the Department of Education threatened to pull funding.
In response to ongoing threats, the Democratic attorneys general have filed a new lawsuit to further protect these vital resources. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell emphasized that the courts have consistently ruled against the arbitrary termination of grant funding that assists students’ mental health.
As the lawsuit unfolds, the U.S. Department of Education has not yet responded to requests for comments regarding the issue. The states involved in the legal action include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin.
