On Thursday, May 15, Oregon Humanities, alongside the Federation of State Humanities Councils, initiated a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Portland against five defendants, including the Department of Global Engagement (DOGE) and its Acting Administrator Amy Gleason, as well as the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), its Acting Chairman Michael McDonald, and the advisory National Council on the Humanities. A full PDF of the complaint is available for review.
The lawsuit challenges the “disruption and attempted dismantling,” led by DOGE, of the federally established partnership between the NEH and the 56 state and jurisdictional humanities councils. The plaintiffs are seeking a court order to restore their terminated funding and ensure that legally appropriated funds continue to be disbursed to the states without interruption.
The filing references a statement from the NEH’s website, which underscores the significance of humanities programs in society: “The humanities explore, interpret, and preserve the diversity of human cultures, ideas, practices, and experiences, past and present. They encompass the languages, religions, laws, philosophies, and customs that shape our identities. They form our history and cultures, reflecting the ideas and movements that have influenced societies over time. NEH grants support the foundational elements of American civil society, fostering an examination of the human condition, promoting civics education, appreciating our cultural heritage, encouraging mutual respect for diverse beliefs and cultures, and enhancing media and information literacy.”
However, DOGE is now attempting to eliminate these vital programs. Established by Congress in 1965 alongside the National Endowment for the Arts, the NEH has functioned differently in supporting states. Congress amended NEH statutes to create jurisdictional humanities councils in all states and territories, with Oregon Humanities being one of the first, founded in 1971. “We’ve aimed to serve as a bridge between Washington, D.C., and every community in Oregon,” stated Davis in a public statement. “We strive to provide opportunities for all Oregonians to engage in thoughtful discussions about our state and nation.”
Their public initiatives are extensive. According to the legal complaint, NEH funding supports humanities programming throughout Oregon, providing grants for rural libraries in towns like Burns, Joseph, Blue River, Newport, and Forest Grove; funding youth-led discussions on mental health in Medford; supporting storytelling projects led by Nez Perce Wallowa Homeland; and publishing the Oregon Humanities magazine, which shares stories from across the state.
However, recent funding cuts have jeopardized these programs. Oregon Humanities has already been compelled to reduce staff and cut hours, cancel spring and summer initiatives, and halt the annual Public Program Grant awards that support other organizations’ humanities efforts statewide.
The lawsuit outlines four counts of violations of the Administrative Procedures Act. The first accuses DOGE of unlawful delays or withholding of agency action. The second and third counts pertain to the illegal termination of grants and violations of the agency’s own statutes, dismantling the operational relationship between federal and state agencies. The fourth count alleges “arbitrary and capricious” agency action.
Additionally, there are charges of violating the separation of powers, asserting that grants approved by Congress cannot be canceled by the president’s associates. The sixth charge, directed specifically at DOGE and Gleason, claims they are acting outside their constitutional powers. The plaintiffs seek a court ruling to declare DOGE’s grant terminations unlawful, restore the withdrawn funding, and prevent any further interference with the funds appropriated by Congress.
