Story perspectives

Trump OMB Rule Shifts $1 T Grants to Appointees, Sparks Lawsuits

7/20/2026

Summary

Story summary

OMB under President Donald Trump unveiled a rule shifting $1 trillion of grant-making authority to political appointees by October.
Half a million comments, about 95% opposing, have flooded the proposal, prompting the cancellation of a $1 million NIH grant.
More than 22 state attorneys general, including California’s Rob Bonta, plan to sue.
Professor Lawrence Gostin warned courts may block the rule while appeals courts and the Supreme Court could keep it alive.

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Story summary

OMB under President Donald Trump unveiled a rule shifting $1 trillion of grant-making authority to political appointees by October.
Half a million comments, about 95% opposing, have flooded the proposal, prompting the cancellation of a $1 million NIH grant.
More than 22 state attorneys general, including California’s Rob Bonta, plan to sue.
Professor Lawrence Gostin warned courts may block the rule while appeals courts and the Supreme Court could keep it alive.