Federal Funding Cuts: A Setback for Gun Violence Prevention Programs

The Trump administration has slashed over half of the federal funding for gun violence prevention programs across the U.S., cutting grants worth $158 million. Cities like New York, Chicago, and Baltimore face significant setbacks as 69 Community Violence Intervention (CVI) grants, part of the broader $811 million reduction by the DOJ, are scrapped.

Originally backed by the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act during Joe Biden's presidency, these programs aimed to curtail gun violence through community initiatives. However, the DOJ claims these grants no longer align with agency priorities, leaving grassroots organizations in peril as they scramble for alternate funding.

Critics, including law enforcement groups, stress the efficacy of these programs, citing significant reductions in violence. With federal support waning, these initiatives' future remains uncertain, potentially undermining community safety in predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods.

(With inputs from agencies.)