Trump Administration Pulls Plug on $1 Billion School Mental Health Grants, Citing Civil Rights Concerns

The Trump administration is making headlines again after officially pulling $1 billion in mental health funding for schools. The grants, originally created under President Joe Biden‘s administration through a 2022 gun violence prevention bill, were designed to help schools hire more psychologists, counselors, and mental health staff.

This week, grant recipients learned the funding will stop after this year. According to the U.S. Department of Education, an internal review concluded the programs clashed with civil rights laws and conflicted with policies promoting merit-based funding. Officials also said the grants were improperly used to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives — a point heavily emphasized by conservative activist Christopher Rufo, who called the programs a “slush fund for activists.”

Rufo shared documents highlighting hiring goals for nonwhite counselors and DEI-focused initiatives, sparking criticism among opponents of race-based policies in education.

The Education Department confirmed the funding halt and reassured Congress that alternative plans are underway. Officials say they aim to redesign and reopen mental health funding opportunities that better align with the administration’s priorities while still supporting student needs.

The move is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to cut billions in federal support for DEI-related programs. They argue that any policy based on race — even those promoting diversity — violates anti-discrimination laws. This stance has already led to threats of additional cuts targeting colleges and K-12 schools implementing DEI practices.

While Trump’s team vows to back mental health in other ways, critics worry about the immediate impact on schools that rely on these grants to provide essential support to students struggling with behavioral and emotional challenges.