Appeals Pile Up at Justice Department
WASHINGTON, Dec 19 (Reuters) - More than 170 appeals remain unresolved at the U.S. Justice Department, filed by law enforcement agencies and crime victim support organizations aiming to reinstate grants that were terminated earlier this year, according to a department spokesperson.
In April, grantees were given 30 days to challenge the cancellations, resulting in 225 appeals. Of these, 17 were rejected and 35 were reinstated, some after media coverage highlighted the cuts in the spring.
Department's Response
"The Department is committed to fairly and thoroughly reviewing the materials submitted by grant recipients that appealed their terminations, and this multi-level review process takes time. Grantees are notified as soon as the Department reaches a final decision," Natalie Baldassarre stated.
Earlier this year, the Trump administration's Justice Department eliminated over 350 grants that supported various initiatives, including community crime prevention programs, victim services, and mental health assistance. These grants, typically disbursed over three years, were originally awarded during the Biden administration.
Impact on Organizations
Historically, grant cancellations were uncommon, usually occurring only in cases of mismanagement or non-compliance. The widespread cuts have forced many groups to halt programs or lay off staff, even as Justice Department officials argue the reductions targeted programs misaligned with administration priorities like direct law enforcement and victim aid. Critics contend these actions compromise community safety.
"The DOJ cut off grant funding to organizations that were actively reducing violence, assisting victims and strengthening the justice system through expert technical assistance and research," said Amy Solomon, former assistant attorney general for the Office of Justice Programs. "These cuts - and the prolonged delays in resolving appeals that could restore funding - put life-saving services at risk and ultimately undermine the department's core public safety mission."
Months of Uncertainty
Many organizations have waited months for decisions on their appeals, leading to program cancellations and layoffs. For example, the Virginia-based National Organization for Victim Advocacy appealed in May after losing an $860,000 grant that funded 15 college students working in domestic and sexual violence shelters. The program aimed to inspire youth in underserved communities to pursue victim services careers, but it remains in limbo.
"We had to shut down the whole program," Executive Director Claire Ponder Selib told Reuters. "For us the impact was both on the students ... and then also on the agencies who were relying on them for services." She added, "It was very complicated, and frankly, devastating."
Delayed Restorations
Even successful appeals have come with costs. In mid-December, the National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators learned its $1.7 million three-year grant for National Crime Victims' Rights Week awareness would be restored. However, by then, the group had already laid off an employee due to funding shortages.
"I feel some survivor's guilt," Executive Director Jaime Yahner remarked, expressing gratitude for the restoration but concern for others still awaiting news.
Broader Grant Issues
The Justice Department has faced challenges in its grant processes since January, not only cutting prior awards but also delaying new solicitations. For instance, the Office of Justice Programs has posted only 36 out of 118 solicitations for fiscal year 2025, which ended on September 30, per an email reviewed by Reuters. The department expects to publish the remaining solicitations soon.
Additionally, the department has redirected some grant funds for other expenses, such as security upgrades at its main building and costs related to Trump's crime crackdown in Washington, involving over $100 million, according to government documents and a letter from Senator Chris Van Hollen.
