Trump flouted judge’s order by canceling Seattle Children’s grant, Washington AG says

“Washington’s attorney general asked a federal judge Thursday to hold the Trump administration in contempt for allegedly canceling a grant to Seattle Children’s Hospital to research innovative gender-affirming care interventions.

“In the motion filed in U.S. District Court in Seattle, the state says the National Institutes of Health revoked the grant despite a court order, sending a letter to researchers that said ‘this award no longer effectuates agency priorities.’”

“At the time of the Feb. 28 revocation, a temporary restraining order blocked the implementation of President Donald Trump’s executive order looking to halt federal funding for institutions that provide gender-affirming care for transgender youth. The restraining order came in response to a lawsuit filed by Washington and other states, along with physicians.

“Late that night, Judge Lauren King agreed to block the Trump administration from enforcing the president’s order, issuing a preliminary injunction that will remain in place while litigation continues. The injunction covers the four states involved in the lawsuit: Washington, Oregon, Minnesota and Colorado.”

“‘Under Defendants’ stingy and self-serving reading of the Court’s injunctions they can cancel any grant they want to, as long as they don’t admit why they’re doing it,’ [Attorney William] McGinty wrote. ‘That is not how this works. Injunctions are not suggestions — they are binding orders of the Court. Defendants may not evade this Court’s orders through game-playing.’”

“McGinty claims the Seattle Children’s grant is one of hundreds similarly defunded.”

“The attorney general’s office is now asking King to hold the administration in contempt and pay attorneys fees for its work on this issue. McGinty requested a hearing next Friday.”