WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge in Oregon issued an injunction Wednesday temporarily stopping the mass cancellation of National Endowment for the Humanities grants to humanities councils around the country, saying the cancellations were likely unconstitutional.
U.S. District Judge Michael H. Simon, an appointee of President Barack Obama, issued a temporary stay on action taken in April by the National Endowment for the Humanities, saying the claims made by plaintiffs in the case were “likely to succeed on their claim that the withholding of the funds at issue in this case is unconstitutional.”
Defendants’ conduct reflects a “deliberate decision to flout Congressional command and refuse to spend appropriated funds,” the opinion said, noting, “The United States Constitution exclusively grants the power of the purse to Congress, not the President.”
The Department of Government Efficiency and the National Endowment for the Humanities canceled dozens of grants to state and local humanities' councils in April as part of President Donald Trump's cost-cutting efforts.
The Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Oregon Council for the Humanities filed suit in May to reverse the local funding cuts.
Adam Davis, executive director of the Oregon council, called the decision “heartening and motivating. This is one step — among many that are needed — in the large, ongoing endeavor to knit our communities and the country closer together.”
The National Endowment for the Humanities did not immediately answer a phone call or email for comment.
Simon said in issuing the stay that the record contained “unrebutted evidence of irreparable harms," noting that “when these programs are cancelled, there can be no do over and no redress.“
The judge rejected a request by the NEH that the injunction be stayed. He said the government had not met the standards for such a stay.
Simon said the defendants were “likely violating statutory obligations and principles of separation of powers that have existed for decades.”
The order also stopped the government from “disbursing, encumbering, loaning, granting, or otherwise disposing of the funds committed to Plaintiffs.”
President Donald Trump pauses while speaking during an announcement about Apple with Apple CEO Tim Cook in the Oval Office, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Victor Wembanyama delivered another masterpiece with 39 points, 15 rebounds and more game-wrecking defense for the San Antonio Spurs, who took a 2-1 lead in the second-round NBA playoff series with a 115-108 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night.
Wembanyama went 13 of 18 from the floor and 10 of 12 from the line, adding five blocks and a full night of paint deterrence as the Spurs won their second straight game after dropping the opener at home.
De'Aaron Fox scored 17 points, and Stephon Castle had 13 points and 12 assists with a team-high plus-17 rating.
Anthony Edwards had 32 points and 14 rebounds and Naz Reid added 18 points and nine rebounds for the Wolves, whose defense kept them alive after a woeful start but allowed the Spurs to shoot 6 for 10 from 3-point range in the pivotal third quarter.
Minnesota will host Game 4 on Sunday night. The series shifts back to San Antonio for Game 5 on Tuesday.
Jaden McDaniels drew Wembanyama's fifth foul with 6:18 left and brought the Wolves within 99-98 on pair of free throws, but the Spurs never trailed in the second half despite never leading by double digits.
Wembanyama didn't flinch despite the foul risk, finishing with 16 points in the fourth quarter. His 3-pointer that answered Reid's pushed San Antonio's lead to six with 3:06 to go. Reid tried another one near the end of the shot clock on the next possession that hit the rim and Wembanyama rebounded.
Edwards, who showed Minnesota yet again his swift healing ability by returning from a deep bone bruise in his hyperextended left knee after just one week to make the start of the series, had 22 points in the first half to help them snap back from an early 18-3 deficit.
The Wolves missed their first 12 shots and didn't get a basket to go down until Rudy Gobert's putback with 6:52 had elapsed, but unlike in the 133-95 drubbing they took in Game 2 on Wednesday they had the defensive intelligence and tenacity at the ready to make up for the long shooting lulls.
Edwards hit a buzzer-beating 31-footer at the end of the first quarter, and McDaniels swished a 3-pointer from the wing to end the first half with a 51-all tie.
McDaniels and Julius Randle were the most affected by Wembanyama's presence, unable to get their short-range and rim-attacking game going. They shot a combined 8 for 34 from the floor.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) waits for play to resume during the first half of Game 3 of a NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Minneapolis, Friday, May 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) shoots over San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) and guard Stephon Castle (5) during the first half of Game 3 of a NBA basketball second-round playoff series in Minneapolis, Friday, May 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) scores over San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first half of Game 3 of a NBA basketball second-round playoff series in Minneapolis, Friday, May 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) drives against San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first half of Game 3 of a NBA basketball second-round playoff series in Minneapolis, Friday, May 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
