BREAKING: A federal judge just ruled that Donald Trump violated the U.S. Constitution. On Jan. 12, a U.S. district court found that the Trump administration’s cancellation of nearly $8 billion in energy grants unlawfully targeted Democratic-leaning states — violating the Fifth Amendment’s equal protection guarantee.

BREAKING: A federal judge just ruled that Donald Trump violated the U.S. Constitution.

On Jan. 12, a U.S. district court found that the Trump administration’s cancellation of nearly $8 billion in energy grants unlawfully targeted Democratic-leaning states — violating the Fifth Amendment’s equal protection guarantee.— Don’t Miss the Implications
👉 Find out what happens next

WASHINGTON — A federal judge on Monday found that the Trump administration’s decision to cancel nearly $8 billion in federal energy grants unlawfully violated the U.S. Constitution by discriminating against recipients in Democratic-leaning states.

In a 17-page opinion, U.S. District Judge **Amit P. Mehta** ruled that the Department of Energy’s termination of hundreds of clean energy awards primarily affected projects in states that voted against Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election. According to the ruling, the unequal treatment breached the **Fifth Amendment’s equal protection guarantee**, which forbids the federal government from making funding decisions based on political affiliation.

The contested grants supported a wide range of initiatives — from battery plants and hydrogen technology to grid upgrades and carbon capture efforts — across 16 states, including California, New York, Minnesota and Oregon. Advocates argued these projects were key to advancing clean, affordable energy and creating jobs. ([opb][3])

Judge Mehta emphasized that the government offered **no rational justification** for targeting recipients based on where they were located, noting that nearly all affected awardees were in states whose voters did not support Trump’s 2024 bid. The court ordered the Department of Energy to restore at least seven canceled grants, though the administration is expected to appeal. ([WSLS][2])

The ruling represents a significant check on executive power over federal funding and adds to a string of legal setbacks for the Trump administration’s efforts to roll back climate and energy programs. Environmental groups and state officials hailed the decision as a victory for fairness and the rule of law, while the Department of Energy defended its review process and vowed to consider next steps. ([AP News][4])

**What Happens Next**

• The administration can **appeal** the ruling to a higher court, potentially bringing the case before a U.S. Court of Appeals.

• A broader group of affected grant recipients may seek similar relief if they join or file additional lawsuits.

• The decision could shape how future administrations approach federal grant cancellations and reinforce constitutional limits on politically driven funding decisions.