LifeSite News
U.S. & Politics

Trump Transportation Dept. defunds $54 million in woke, pro-DEI grants

By Stephen KokxMay 7, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Trump Transportation Dept. defunds $54 million in woke, pro-DEI grants
Wikimedia, Flickr | Trump administration defunds 'woke' Dept. of Transportation grants

Trump Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that his department ended ‘woke’ grants to liberal universities that ‘were used to advance a radical DEI and green agenda.’

WASHINGTON, D.C. (LifeSiteNews) -- U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has taken an axe to Biden-era grants to universities that promoted “woke” ideology.

In a press release issued on Friday, May 2, Duffy announced that his department has “terminated seven woke university grants totaling $54 million.”

"These grants were used to advance a radical DEI and green agenda that were both wasteful and ran counter to the transportation priorities of the American people,” the statement reads.

The grants funded leftist research on topics such as how “the transportation system creates and perpetuates inequities” and how “improvements to auto travel can benefit higher income, often white drivers.”

Schools that receive the funding included the University of Southern California, New York University, and Johns Hopkins University, among others.

X owner Elon Musk praised the cuts in a social media post.

“Working with Secretary Duffy, the Department of Government Efficiency is glad to stop funding studies to determine if roads are racist. This was an actual thing that was happening!” he exclaimed.

Duffy, a Catholic who previously served in Congress, made headlines last month when he installed an painting of Jesus Christ that the Biden administration reportedly had removed.

While speaking at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in April, Duffy elicited enthusiastic cheers and applause after announcing that a painting of Our Lord saving merchant mariners will be publicly displayed again. Duffy also had a copy of it installed in the Transportation Department’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Duffy also announced on Tuesday, April 6, that he approved 180 woke-free infrastructure grants totaling more than $3.2 billion dollars.

“The last administration liked to grab the headlines but didn’t want to do the hard work of building. They also tied road construction up with red tape and leftist social requirements – adding millions in costs and months of delay – all while our outdated infrastructure sat in disrepair,” he announced.

In February, Duffy, who is also a father of nine children, directed his department to “give preference to communities with marriage and birth rates higher than the national average” when approving grant money.

U.S. & Politics
May 7, 2025 at 2:01 PM
SK

Stephen Kokx

Stephen Kokx is a journalist for LifeSiteNews. A former community college instructor, Stephen has written and spoken extensively about Catholic social teaching, politics, and spirituality. He previously worked for the Archdiocese of Chicago under the late Francis Cardinal George. His essays have appeared in a variety of outlets, including Catholic Family News and CatholicVote.org. He is the author of two books, Navigating the Crisis in the Church: Essays in Defense of Traditional Catholicism and St. Alphonsus for the 21st Century: A Handbook for Holiness.
Share:

Article At A Glance

  • Trump Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that his department ended ‘woke’ grants to liberal universities that ‘were used to advance a radical DEI and green agenda.’

Be the difference behind the stories that matter

Your support powers independent journalism that stands for truth. In a world of mainstream narratives, LifeSiteNews remains committed to reporting on life, faith, family, and freedom without compromise. Every donation creates ripples of impact—helping millions worldwide discover fact-based reporting on the issues that shape our culture and future. Join our community of truth-seekers making a difference today.

Donate Today

Get news in your inbox.
Subscribe to our newsletter.

Get the latest news on faith, family, and culture delivered directly to your inbox. Our newsletter provides carefully curated stories that matter to Catholics and Christians seeking truthful reporting on issues that mainstream media often overlooks. Join thousands of readers who rely on our independent journalism.

We respect your privacy.