DOE admits $7 billion clean-energy grants cut for political reasons

DOE admits $7 billion clean-energy grants cut for political reasons

Politics

The U. S. Energy Department said in a federal court filing on July 26 that the October 2025 termination of more than $7 billion in clean-energy grants was based solely on whether the recipient states voted for President Trump. Earlier court filings reported by NBC News showed the department cancelled 284 federal research grants in states that had supported President Trump.

AP News later reported that court documents indicated the administration halted $7. 6 billion in clean-energy funding for projects in 16 states that backed the Democratic ticket, contradicting earlier claims of economic criteria. CNN added that the department had recommended canceling hundreds of clean-energy grants in states that voted for Kamala Harris, citing political affiliation.

Actors

Donald J. Trump U.S. Justice Department U.S. Energy Department Chris Wright Russell Vought Marcy Kaptur Patty Murray

Locations

California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Hawaii Illinois Maryland Massachusetts Minnesota New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York Oregon Vermont Washington Washington, D.C.

Articles

July 26, 2026
1 total
DOE admits clean-energy grant cancellations were based on states' political affiliation
DOE admits clean-energy grant cancellations were based on states' political affiliation

Democracy Docket • 26 Jul 17:58

A Department of Energy court filing confirms that October 2025 terminations of more than $7 billion in clean-energy grants were selected solely on whether the recipient states voted for President Trump, contradicting the agency’s earlier testimony.

Credibility 68% Manip. 48% Left
July 25, 2026
3 total
DOE admits clean-energy grants were cut based on states' political affiliation
DOE admits clean-energy grants were cut based on states' political affiliation

CNN • 25 Jul 19:06

A federal court filing shows the Energy Department recommended canceling hundreds of clean-energy grants in states that voted for Kamala Harris, citing the states' political identity, prompting criticism from Democratic lawmakers.

Credibility 72% Manip. 32% Center
Trump administration acknowledges political factors in cancellation of clean-energy grants
Trump administration acknowledges political factors in cancellation of clean-energy grants

Fortune • 25 Jul 14:54

A court filing shows the Biden administration cancelled nearly 300 clean-energy projects, citing political considerations tied to states that supported the Democratic presidential candidate.

Credibility 68% Manip. 48% Left
Trump administration acknowledges politically motivated cancellation of $7.6 billion in clean-energy grants
Trump administration acknowledges politically motivated cancellation of $7.6 billion in clean-energy grants

AP News • 25 Jul 00:09

Court documents reveal the administration halted $7.6 billion in clean-energy funding for projects in 16 states that supported the Democratic ticket, contradicting earlier statements that the cuts were based on economic criteria.

Credibility 78% Manip. 32% Center
July 24, 2026
1 total
DOE admits termination of 284 research grants tied to states that voted for President Trump in 2024
DOE admits termination of 284 research grants tied to states that voted for President Trump in 2024

NBC News • 24 Jul 22:12

Court filings show the Department of Energy cancelled 284 federal research grants because the projects were located in states that supported President Trump in the 2024 election, a decision the agency says was not based on programmatic criteria.

Credibility 68% Manip. 10% Center

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