The American Civil Liberties Union has reportedly quietly dropped its lawsuit against the Trump administration after federal officials restored tens of millions of dollars in taxpayer funding to Planned Parenthood, ending a legal fight that stemmed from a freeze imposed earlier this year.
According to reporting from Politico, the Department of Health and Human Services released Title X grants to the nation’s largest abortion provider in December, reversing a funding freeze that had been put in place last spring. The administration had blocked approximately $27.5 million in grants while conducting a review tied to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs at organizations receiving federal funds, according to The Boston Pilot.
The ACLU filed its lawsuit in April 2025, challenging the administration’s decision to withhold the grants. The group said the funding freeze affected roughly 865 service sites across nearly two dozen states. With the money now restored, the legal challenge has been withdrawn.
HHS originally withheld the funds in March 2025 after flagging more than a dozen Title X providers for potential civil rights violations, Politico reported. Federal officials cited concerns related to DEI practices in hiring and patient treatment, with some providers also facing scrutiny over alleged support for providing services to illegal immigrants.
In a December 19 court filing, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro informed the court that the review process had concluded and that all grants at issue for the plaintiffs’ members had been reinstated. That filing effectively undercut the basis for the ACLU’s lawsuit, clearing the way for its dismissal.
The restoration of funds immediately drew criticism from pro-life leaders, who argued that the administration should take stronger action against Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers rather than releasing taxpayer dollars piece by piece. Students for Life Action President Kristan Hawkins said there is a more comprehensive approach available.
“There is a way to fire Planned Parenthood from all programs, instead of handling this piece by piece, and that’s debarment,” Hawkins told OSV News. She argued that Planned Parenthood should undergo a full-scale federal review, citing allegations involving fraud, failure to report sex crimes, and claims of a racist work environment.
Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America also weighed in, urging the administration to revive the Protect Life Rule from President Donald Trump’s first term. That rule barred abortion providers from using Title X funds. The group noted on X that the policy prevented what it described as big abortion businesses from treating taxpayer dollars like a slush fund, and criticized the Biden administration for rescinding it.
While the restored Title X funding represents tens of millions of dollars, it accounts for only a fraction of the federal money flowing to Planned Parenthood. According to The Boston Pilot, the organization received more than $700 million in taxpayer funding during the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2024, citing Planned Parenthood’s own 2023–2024 report.
The episode underscores the ongoing battle over federal funding for abortion providers, with conservatives warning that even temporary freezes can be quickly reversed without broader policy changes. For pro-life advocates, the dropping of the ACLU lawsuit is less a victory than a reminder of how entrenched federal support for Planned Parenthood remains.
