Transportation Secretary Halts $54 Million in University Grants for DEI, Green Projects

Duffy's Bold Move to Refocus Transportation Priorities

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the termination of seven university grants totaling $54 million. These grants, previously allocated by the Department of Transportation, were deemed misaligned with the department's core mission. Duffy emphasized a return to fundamental priorities, stating, 'The previous administration turned the Department of Transportation into the Department of Woke. I've focused the Department on what matters; safety, making travel great again, and building big, beautiful infrastructure projects.'

Details of the Canceled Grants

The canceled grants supported various research initiatives at universities across the country. For instance, the University of California, Davis received $12 million for studies on equitable decarbonization, while the City College of New York was granted $9 million to explore transportation equity for disadvantaged workers. Other institutions, such as San Jose State University, New York University, the University of Southern California, the University of New Orleans, and Johns Hopkins University, each received around $6 million for projects ranging from gender-specific infrastructure safety to pollution exposure disparities.

Duffy criticized these initiatives as wasteful, arguing they diverted resources from pressing transportation needs. He specifically highlighted a San Jose State University project that examined how auto travel improvements often benefit higher-income drivers, stating, 'The American people have zero interest in millions of their tax dollars funding research on the intersection of gender non-conforming people and infrastructure inequality or whether road improvement projects are racist.'

Alignment with Trump Administration Goals

This decision aligns with President Trump's broader agenda to streamline federal spending and eliminate programs perceived as ideologically driven. On January 21, Trump signed an executive order titled 'Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity,' which prohibits federal funding for educational institutions mandating diversity, equity, and inclusion compliance. Duffy's actions reflect this directive, aiming to redirect the Department of Transportation's focus toward practical infrastructure development.

The Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, praised Duffy's move. In a post on X, they stated, 'Great job by @SecDuffy and @USDOT for terminating 7 wasteful grants with award value of $54M and savings of $51M.' Musk himself echoed this sentiment, noting, 'Working with @SecDuffy, the @DOGE is glad to stop funding studies to determine if roads are racist.'

Future Implications

The termination of these grants signals a significant shift in federal funding priorities under the Trump administration. By prioritizing safety and infrastructure, Secretary Duffy aims to ensure taxpayer dollars address the immediate needs of Americans. As the Department of Transportation continues to review its programs, further changes may reshape the landscape of federal support for university research.