Last week, the Trump administration announced sweeping cuts to grants within the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for programs that have proven successful in preventing gun violence; serving crime victims and survivors; supporting law enforcement; and reducing recidivism. Current estimates suggest that more than 365 grants were terminated so far, totaling approximately $811 million when awarded. DOJ justified the devastating move by stating that the grants no longer align with the administration’s funding priorities and that there would be “more to come.” As a result, critical services that states and localities rely on for their public safety are in jeopardy.
Since taking office, the Trump administration has shown through its words and actions that slashing federal government investments is a priority without regard for what keeps people safe. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is responsible for cutting grants for everything from child cancer research, to veterans services, to behavioral health treatment. These cuts are in addition to laying off tens of thousands of workers and gutting agencies such as the Department of Education and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Congress—using its power of the purse—had already allocated the hundreds of millions of dollars in funding that this administration has cut to support federal investments in state and local public safety initiatives. Many of these funding allocations received bipartisan support and are widely supported by American taxpayers.
The DOJ’s recent grant terminations will have devastating impacts, forcing organizations to reduce services, scramble for new funding, cease operating, or lay off workers. As a result of public pressure, several grants related to victim services have since been reinstated. However, for the vast majority of organizations, DOJ has created an “environment of uncertainty and fear” that will make it difficult to continue delivering the lifesaving services that keep everyone safe where they live, work, and take their kids to school.
The Trump administration has taken drastic steps to limit federal funding for critical public safety programs
Within days of assuming office, President Donald Trump has taken a series of drastic actions to curtail federal spending on effective public safety programs and initiatives.
- On January 27, 2025, the Trump administration called on all federal agencies to freeze $3 trillion in grants, loans, and other financial assistance the next day—an action that was swiftly blocked by a federal judge and eventually rescinded.
- In recent weeks, the administration has laid off thousands of federal government professionals. This has jeopardized critical public safety work across agencies, including at the Department of Health and Human Services; the Department of Education; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms; and more. These agencies have also seen significant cuts to their programs that improve maternal and child health; support teacher training; and prevent sexual assault, child abuse, and gun violence.
- On April 22, 2025, DOJ terminated at least 365 grants from the Office of Justice Programs (OJP)—one of the three DOJ offices that disburses grant funds to governments and other organizations that provide critical public safety resources and programs across the country.
- In support of the administration’s efforts to significantly cut federal funding, House Republicans are developing a budget reconciliation package that would aim to cut more than $1 trillion in federal funding, including services and supports that increase public safety.
While each president makes additions or changes to grant programs to better align with the goals or priorities of their administration, President Trump is the first to introduce such sweeping—cuts to grants that have already been awarded. President Trump’s claims to care about public safety ring hollow as his administration implements policies that will gut government initiatives and community-based programs that are delivering much-needed safety resources in communities both large and small—as well as urban and rural—across the country.
Safety programs are at risk with DOJ funding cuts
As a result of the April 22, 2025, cuts to OJP’s grant programs, hundreds of awardees have immediately lost access to federal funding that is essential to their efforts to improve public safety in the communities where they operate. In the absence of this funding, many programs will be forced to abruptly reduce or cease providing critical services, including crime solving; gun violence prevention; victim services; mental health and substance use services; reentry; and youth support.
Crime solving
Many DOJ grant programs have been established to assist state and local law enforcement in solving crimes and preventing crimes from occurring in the first place. State and local funding resources can vary drastically across the country, and—at times—local resources are not always enough to cover the core day-to-day operations of law enforcement. Federal grant funding provides local governments and police departments with additional resources, such as advanced technology; crime data collection and analysis; enforcement equipment; specialized training; and other innovative measures that may otherwise be financially out of reach. These resources help guarantee that the governments have the necessary tools and resources to improve their crime-solving strategies and invest in effective prevention strategies that will advance public safety outcomes long term.
- $37 million in funding was cut from Community Resources for Justice in Boston, Massachusetts, which provides crime data analysis for local governments.
- Activating Change had five federal grants terminated totaling more than $2 million. One of those grants provides training to law enforcement on investigating human trafficking involving people with disabilities.
- Reports have also found that a program that provides mental health support for police is among the most recent round of cuts.
Victim services
Providing access to services and support to victims of crime is a critical part of ensuring that our legal system is administering justice. It is critical that victims have a safe place to turn to report their victimization and to seek service for mental health needs; physical health conditions; transitioning to a new neighborhood; temporary housing; and/or financial assistance. In some cases, victims can be compensated for losses they experienced. Unfortunately, programs that provide services that can both help victims and their families heal and pay for costs associated with their victimization have been affected by recent funding cuts. However, as a result of public pressure, some funding has been restored. These cuts jeopardize the safety of victims and their ability to rebuild.
- Activating Change—an organization that provides sign language interpretation and legal assistance to disabled victims and victims with hearing impairments—lost 40 percent of their budget as a result of recent cuts.
- The Oregon-based National Crime Victim Law Institute lost two grants that were focused on improving legal services for and legal representation of victims, with some funding focused on disabled victims.
- National Court Appointed Special Advocates/Guardians ad Litem (CASA/GAL)—which provides grants to numerous state programs to support child victims of abuse—had to immediately suspend all services that were supported by their cancelled grant.
Gun violence response and prevention
While the gun violence rates are decreasing after spiking during the COVID-19 pandemic, gun violence remains high in many communities. States and localities have relied on investments from across the federal government to improve responses to gun violence and improve clearance rates; prevent retaliatory gun violence; and support victims of gun violence and their families. In recent years, the federal government has supported the proliferation of community violence intervention programs, which have reduced violence by as much as 60 percent where they are implemented. Many programs that had their funding cut also focus on providing young people at risk of violence with personal, educational, and employment support to both prevent crime and provide the skills and resources to successfully grow into adulthood.
- Give Back 2 Da Block lost millions of dollars expected to be used to support their mentoring services, summer camps, violence interruption, and providing youth with conflict resolution skills to prevent escalation. This includes its Leadership, Empowerment, Achievement, and Development (L.E.A.D) program which provides services in Churchland Elementary.
- Advance Peace in Fresno, California, had a $2 million grant terminated that was used to provide anti-violence programs to hard-to-reach individuals who were closest to gun violence in their communities.
Oklahoma City-based LiveFree OKC had its $2 million grant canceled. LiveFree OKC was relying on this funding to hire additional peacemakers to expand the reach of their services in the community.
“Safety is at stake. People’s lives are at stake. Communities thriving is at stake.”
– Esther Franco-Payne, executive director, Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities
Mental health and substance-use disorder treatment
The Trump administration has already made efforts to cut billions of federal funding for grant programs aimed to treat addiction and mental health support within the Health and Human Services Department and plans to get rid of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Mental health and substance use programs not only aim to address the health issues of an individual but also help interrupt cycles of crime and improve public safety outcomes.
- HardBeauty—a recovery program in Colorado that provides support to pregnant women with substance use disorders in rural counties—lost $75,000 in funding.
- In Kansas City, Missouri, the grant funding their city’s mental health court counseling and treatment programs was cancelled.
- Five federal contracts totaling more than $13 million in funding were cancelled in New Jersey, including a $6 million grant to support diversion programs that direct people out of the criminal legal system and into lifesaving treatment programs.
Reentry
For the roughly 100 million people who have been affected by the U.S. legal system, many face systemic challenges during their reentry, including finding employment, education, stable housing, adequate health care, and other essential supports and resources that address basic needs. Without support from reentry programs, these challenges can lead people to reoffending, contributing to a cycle of crime. Supportive housing programs have been some of the most effective approaches to reducing recidivism among reentering populations.
- Oakland, California-based program Impact Justice lost millions in funding that was allocated to providing reentry housing support.
Federal funding cuts to Medicaid and other agencies will further harm public safety
While the DOJ oversees many of the grant programs central to public safety, they are not the only agency with grant programs that support public safety. Agencies such as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Department of Labor, the Department of Education, and the Department of Health and Human Services have established programs that address many of the drivers of crime and violence. The agencies support programs to improve outcomes in areas such as housing, employment, education, food insecurity, public health, and health care—all of which are essential to public safety.
The Department of Health and Human Services’ Medicaid program is a significant contributor to crime prevention and particularly important for the roughly 80 percent to 90 percent of individuals affected by the U.S. legal system who are estimated to be eligible to receive Medicaid coverage in states that have expanded their Medicaid programs. These individuals often face health challenges such as chronic illness, mental health conditions, and substance use. Medicaid provides insurance coverage for individuals to address their healthcare needs and improve their overall quality of life, which studies show leads to decreased rates of recidivism and criminal activity.
The Trump administration has not yet taken actions to cut Medicaid funding and insists there are no plans to cut Medicaid benefits. However, in support of the president’s budget agenda, Congress passed a budget resolution that commits to cutting $1.5 trillion in federal funding. The resolution requires the House Committee on Energy and Commerce to cut at least $880 billion in spending through 2034. With Medicaid accounting for such a substantial amount of funding that the committee oversees, the cuts will have to come primarily from Medicaid. If passed, the cuts would be the largest in the program’s history and could result in millions of people losing health care coverage. As studies have shown, reductions in Medicaid coverage will almost certainly lead to widespread increases in crime and negatively impact public safety nationwide.
Conclusion
The sweeping cuts to DOJ grants ushered in by the Trump administration threaten to undo years of important progress making our communities safer. While state and local resources and private donations may be able to make up for a small portion of this funding shortfall, the abruptness and vastness of cuts will devastate state and local responses to crime and violence; prevention programs; and support for victims and survivors to recover and rebuild their lives. This administration is saying that they care about reducing crime and supporting victims while—in the same breath—announcing cuts to programs actively working to achieve those goals. Leaders in the Senate have urged the DOJ to reverse the cancellation of these public safety grants, and the administration should respond and act with urgency. Congress must continue to use its power to vigilantly push back on the administration’s actions and ensure that these terminated grants are restored; that similar grant opportunities for fiscal year 2025 are released; and that funding for critical safety programs is included in the fiscal year 2026 budget.