In a significant legal development on January 12, 2026, a federal judge intervened to prevent the Trump administration from terminating nearly $12 million in grant funding for the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). This ruling follows a high-profile dispute between the AAP and U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over radical changes to national vaccine policies.
U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell issued a preliminary injunction late Sunday. The court found that the AAP is likely to succeed in its claim that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) retaliated against the organization for its public advocacy, thereby violating its First Amendment rights.
Judicial Rebuke of “Force and Coercion”
During the proceedings, Judge Howell highlighted “pejorative” remarks from HHS officials that specifically targeted the AAP’s stance on childhood immunizations and gender-affirming care. She noted that these statements demonstrated a “clear animus” toward the organization.
“When force and coercion replace reason in the marketplace of ideas, the public suffers by denial of access to high-quality information.” — Judge Beryl Howell
The grants in question are managed by the CDC and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Specifically, these funds support critical public health initiatives, including:
- SIDS Prevention: Programs designed to reduce sudden infant death syndrome.
- Rural Care: Enhancing pediatric medical services in underserved communities.
- Developmental Disorders: Initiatives to prevent fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
A Pattern of Alleged Retaliation
The AAP alleged that seven separate grants were abruptly terminated on December 16, 2025. Notably, this occurred just one day before a separate legal hearing in Boston where the AAP challenged the administration’s new vaccine guidelines.
The AAP has emerged as a leading critic of Secretary Kennedy, who has implemented several radical shifts in federal health policy. Furthermore, key points of contention include:
- Vaccine Rollbacks: The AAP criticized the CDC’s January 5th move to reduce universally recommended childhood vaccines from 17 to 11.
- COVID-19 Guidance: In August 2025, the AAP broke with federal policy by recommending COVID-19 vaccinations for all young children, despite the CDC suggesting they were only for high-risk cases.
- LGBTQ+ Healthcare: The AAP continues to support gender-affirming care, which the current administration has actively sought to restrict.
Broader Legal Implications for Federal Health
This injunction follows another legal victory for the AAP last week in Boston. In that case, a judge allowed a lawsuit to proceed challenging the legality of the administration’s vaccine overhaul and the replacement of seasoned members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) with political appointees.
Ultimately, the restoration of this $12 million ensures that vital community health programs can remain operational. The court’s decision signals a significant check on the executive branch’s ability to withhold federal funding based on political disagreements with scientific organizations.
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