DEI Funding Slashed Under RFK Jr.

Kennedy Trims $122 Million in LGBT & DEI Grants: A Return to Common‑Sense Fiscal Stewardship

In a decisive move reflecting conservative Christian principles of stewardship and equality under God, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), has canceled nearly $122 million in grants directed toward Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and LGBT‑focused research. This bold action aligns with the biblical conviction that taxpayer dollars should serve all citizens impartially, rather than funneling funds into niche agendas—even when well-intentioned.

According to a New York Post report on August 29, 2025, the sweeping cuts affected 195 research projects, many tied to prestigious universities such as Vanderbilt, Drexel, Michigan, and UCSF. Projects ranged from studying dementia among transgender individuals to cancer, HIV prevention, and minority representation in academia—granting HHS the opportunity to reevaluate the prudent use of public funds.

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Returning to Balanced Funding

These cuts were largely executed in concert with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), building upon prior reforms from the Trump administration. The rationale: You can’t justify taxpayer‑funded studies focused narrowly on specific identity categories if the broader public expects equity and impartiality. A key spokesperson, Rich Danker, affirmed that the NIH must serve all Americans equally, free of political litmus tests tied to DEI or identity groups.

From a conservative Christian standpoint, this resonates deeply with scriptural imperatives—rooting public policy not in victimhood or identity politics, but in universal human dignity. When Christians prioritize stewardship, they advocate for using public resources wisely, lifting all, not dividing people into hierarchies of suffering based on race, gender, or orientation.

Fallout from Academia and Public Health Circles

As expected, the response from academia and public health advocates was swift. At least one senior official—Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases—resigned in protest, citing the termination of “key research to support equity.” This resignation came shortly after the firing of CDC Director Dr. Susan Monarez, signaling clear internal disagreement.

While these reactions reflect passion for underrepresented communities, they unintentionally highlight how politicized many government efforts have become. The Christian ethos calls us to serve the vulnerable—no question—but through paths that extend beyond identity‑based funding and avoid reinforcing division. The resurrection of true equity happens when the government empowers all based on need, not narrative.

Redirecting Funds Toward Broader Public Health

Cancelled grants included funds for Vanderbilt’s “FIRST” initiative—recruiting tenure-track faculty from minoritized backgrounds (over $5.5M); Drexel’s faculty health disparities program ($4.6M); UVA’s autism biomarker study ($2.4M); Michigan’s Alzheimer’s inclusivity research ($1.1M); and UCSF’s “ARISE” study on racism and Asian-American seniors ($3.4M).

Other projects cut ranged from HIV interventions among Indigenous sexual minorities in Mesoamerica to studies on intersectional stigma’s effect on blood pressure and dementia in transgender populations. While important in their own right, their specificity raises the question: Should federal dollars prioritize niche identity groups or broad‑based, universally applicable health research? A balanced approach would tackle challenges like Alzheimer’s, cancer, or infectious diseases without anchoring them to group identity.

Aligning with Christian Principles and Fiscal Conservatism

A faithful conservative Christian approach requires us to steward resources wisely—supporting inclusive research that serves the common good rather than reinforcing identity-based allocations. This reform effort by RFK Jr. encapsulates that principle, moving toward a post‑DEI research paradigm grounded in universal human needs.

The Christian worldview teaches that all people are created in God’s image, worthy of respect and dignity. But true respect doesn’t privilege identity over individuals; it promotes policies that uplift all equitably. In an era where federal bureaucracy too often feeds ideology and fragmentation, this rollback represents a path back to unity under God, not division by identity politics.

Conclusion

By eliminating $122 million in DEI and LGBT‑specific grants, HHS under RFK Jr. is reviving the principle that government exists to serve every citizen equally, not to fund narrow group‑focused ideology. While critics decry “equity rollback,” conservative Christians understand that preserving true equality means treating all citizens with the same reverence, undergirded by divine design—not political agendas.

This watershed decision could catalyze a long-overdue policy shift: from identity‑centric policies to universal, need‑based approaches—drawing from biblical values of fairness, stewardship, and unity.

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1. “RFK Jr. Axes $122M LGBT Grants”

2. “DEI Funding Slashed Under RFK Jr.”

3. “Taxpayer Cash Dumped on LGBT Projects?”

Keywords (10)

1. Stewardship

2. Equity

3. Taxpayer funds

4. DEI funding

5. LGBT grants

6. HHS cuts

7. Public health research

8. Christian worldview

9. Academic backlash

10. Government efficiency