Examination of DOGE's Controversial Grant Cancellations

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), established under President Donald Trump and led by Elon Musk, has faced significant scrutiny following the termination of over 1,400 grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). This unprecedented action, which eliminated more than $100 million in funding, was largely justified by DOGE staff as a necessary measure to reduce federal spending, particularly targeting programs associated with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

2 DOGE staffers say ‘no’ regrets for people losing income, didn’t reduce the deficit: Depositions

DOGE employees Justin Fox and Nathan Cavanaugh, who lacked prior government experience, utilized OpenAI's ChatGPT to identify grants for cancellation. They prompted the AI with specific queries to determine whether grants contained DEI-related language, such as terms like "BIPOC," "LGBTQ," and "equity." In depositions, Cavanaugh stated, “I did not read a book on how to discern whether a grant includes DEI or not. I read the actual description of the actual grant.” However, both staffers admitted they did not provide a clear definition of DEI to the AI, leading to questionable assessments of numerous projects.

2 DOGE staffers say ‘no’ regrets for people losing income, didn’t reduce the deficit: Depositions

The abrupt cancellations have drawn criticism from various academic organizations, including the Modern Language Association (MLA), the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS), and the American Historical Association (AHA). These groups argue that the terminations were unconstitutional and violated the First Amendment by targeting grants based on their content and perceived political associations. Paula M. Krebs, executive director of the MLA, described DOGE's actions as “haphazard and unlawful,” emphasizing the detrimental impact on public programming and research.

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In their depositions, both Fox and Cavanaugh expressed no regrets for the financial consequences faced by those affected by the funding cuts. Cavanaugh stated, “No. I think it was more important to reduce the federal deficit from $2 trillion to close to zero,” despite acknowledging that they did not achieve this goal. Critics have raised concerns about the qualifications of DOGE staff to make such significant funding decisions, given their lack of expertise in the humanities.

2 DOGE staffers say 'no' regrets for people losing income, didn't reduce the deficit: Depositions

The methodology employed by DOGE has been characterized as reckless and discriminatory. Critics argue that the reliance on AI without proper oversight led to the cancellation of essential projects, including those focused on Black history and civil rights. For instance, Fox struggled to justify why a documentary about Holocaust survivors was deemed DEI-related, stating, “It’s a gender-based story that’s inherently discriminatory to focus on this specific group.” This highlights the confusion and inconsistency in the criteria used for grant evaluations.

The Independent

While DOGE staff assert that their actions were aligned with executive orders aimed at cutting wasteful spending, internal communications reveal a lack of clarity and justification for many cancellations. Acting NEH Chair Michael McDonald acknowledged that numerous terminations had “no justification,” yet he ultimately deferred to DOGE's authority in the decision-making process. This raises questions about the separation of powers and the proper functioning of federal agencies.

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The ongoing legal challenges from the MLA, ACLS, and AHA may lead to further scrutiny of DOGE's practices and the potential reinstatement of terminated grants. As the NEH resumes awarding grants, concerns persist regarding the agency's ability to fulfill its mission amid pressures to align funding with the current administration's directives.

Inside Higher Ed

• “No. I think it was more important to reduce the federal deficit from $2 trillion to close to zero,” — Nathan Cavanaugh, DOGE Staffer

2 DOGE staffers say 'no' regrets for people losing income, didn't reduce the deficit: Depositions

• “The facts in this case have exposed the administration’s total disregard for the democratic process and for the value of the humanities that the NEH exists to promote,” — Paula M. Krebs, Executive Director, MLA

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• “We were identifying wasteful spend in the government based on administration direction.” — Justin Fox, DOGE Staffer

2 DOGE staffers say 'no' regrets for people losing income, didn't reduce the deficit: Depositions

• “It's a gender-based story that's inherently discriminatory to focus on this specific group,” — Justin Fox, DOGE Staffer

2 DOGE staffers say 'no' regrets for people losing income, didn't reduce the deficit: Depositions

This examination underscores the complexities and controversies surrounding DOGE's actions, revealing significant implications for federal funding and the humanities sector.

Inside Higher Ed