DOJ pulls plug on grants for gun violence, addiction, victim support
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The Justice Department has canceled millions of dollars in grants for gun violence prevention, victim advocacy, and opioid programs, citing misalignment with the Trump administration's priorities.
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The Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building is pictured in Washington on June 9, 2023 (AP)
Hundreds of grants to community organizations and local governments focused on gun-violence prevention, crime-victim advocacy, and combating the opioid crisis have been canceled by the Justice Department, according to an internal email reviewed by The Washington Post.
On Tuesday, recipients of the terminated grants were instructed to immediately stop all activities funded through the program. An email sent to one organization also confirmed that access to already-distributed funds was being revoked.
Maureen Henneberg, the acting director of the Office of Justice Programs, explained in an email to staff that the revoked grants were identified during a weeks-long review. She stated the reason was that the projects did not align with the Trump administration’s priorities.
Henneberg, in her memo, said the money would soon be reallocated to better support Trump administration priorities, including “combatting violent crime,” “protecting victims of trafficking and sexual assault,” and “protecting American children.”
Programs tied to gun violence, addiction left in limbo
A significant number of the grants withdrawn on Tuesday were tied to initiatives aimed at reducing gun violence through intervention programs. These programs are designed to support individuals who are at high risk of either committing or becoming victims of violent crime.
Among the affected recipients is Community Resources for Justice, a nonprofit based in Boston, which lost approximately $37 million in grant money across multiple awards. According to government data, the organization had been using the funds to assist local governments with crime analysis and related services. It did not provide a statement when contacted on Tuesday.
The Office of Justice Programs, the DOJ branch responsible for administering these grants, typically operates on a three-year funding cycle. These cancellations arrived mid-cycle, raising concerns about serious funding gaps. According to the cancellation notice reviewed by The Post, organizations have 30 days to appeal the decision.
Every victim deserves justice, support, and a voice. During National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, we recognize the resilience of survivors and the vital work of the Office for Victims of Crime in providing them with resources, advocacy, and hope. #NCVRW2025 pic.twitter.com/6xZ2fCZoXa
— U.S. Department of Justice (@TheJusticeDept) April 8, 2025
The canceled grants had supported a wide range of programs in the millions of dollars, from interventions for nonviolent youth offenders to initiatives addressing hate crimes. Funding was also being used for opioid response programs in Newark and a confidential hotline, the National Center for Victims of Crime, that helps victims of crime understand their rights.
Historical context
Different presidential administrations often adjust how they distribute federal grants to match their own policy goals, so changes in funding priorities aren’t uncommon. However, it’s rare for an administration to take back grants that have already been approved.
While the grants that were canceled make up only a small slice of the more than $2 billion the Office of Justice Programs awards each year, several people with knowledge of the department’s internal processes, who requested anonymity, expressed concern that more funding cuts may still be on the way, according to The Washington Post.
Back in 2022, Congress passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which introduced new firearm regulations and allocated $250 million over five years for the Justice Department to fund community-based violence intervention efforts.
The Biden administration actively supported these initiatives. That same year, Attorney General Merrick Garland brought together nearly 50 local violence prevention organizations for a conference, all of which had received Justice Department funding.
According to a report by the Commonwealth Fund, an independent research group, in 2024, the US ranked in the 93rd percentile for overall firearm mortality, the 92nd percentile for firearm mortality among children and teenagers, and the 96th percentile for firearm mortality among women.
During US President Donald Trump’s term, the Justice Department also withdrew $5 million in grants from the Vera Institute of Justice, a nonprofit that promotes alternatives to incarceration. According to the organization, those funds were intended for programs focused on cutting repeat offenses and assisting victims of violent crime.
The Vera Institute is currently challenging the decision to revoke its funding.
