Attorney General Jennifer Davenport announced on Mar. 23 that New Jersey has joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against the Trump Administration. The suit challenges new conditions placed on billions of dollars in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grants, which the states argue are vague and unrelated to the intended purpose of the funding.
The issue is significant because these federal funds support programs like food assistance for vulnerable populations and equipment for volunteer firefighters across New Jersey and other states. The attorneys general claim that if these new requirements are enforced, essential services could be disrupted for millions who rely on them.
According to Davenport, “The Trump Administration cannot make cruel funding restrictions without any basis in law or fact. I will not let people go hungry because of the Administration’s latest effort to impose unrelated ideological conditions on essential services.” The lawsuit asks the court to block USDA from imposing what it describes as illegal conditions tied to policies regarding immigration, diversity, equity and inclusion, and gender identity—none of which are directly related to USDA grant purposes.
The complaint alleges that these new requirements violate both the spending clause by being overly broad and coercive, as well as the Administrative Procedure Act by being arbitrary, unconstitutional, contrary to law, and beyond USDA’s authority. In fiscal year 2025 alone, New Jersey agencies received nearly $1.93 billion in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funds; $658 million for Child Nutrition Programs; $12 million from Emergency Food Assistance; $210 million for Women, Infants and Children programs; along with wildfire defense funding—all at risk under these disputed rules.
Davenport is joined by attorneys general from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Washington D.C., Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont Virginia Washington State and Wisconsin in seeking an injunction against implementation or enforcement of these terms.
New Jersey has previously challenged similar federal grant restrictions five times during this administration—all resulting in favorable outcomes or early resolutions for the state.
The office led by Attorney General Matthew Platkin aims to protect residents’ lives and property while upholding legal standards statewide according to its official website. Its authority extends through all counties and municipalities according to its official website, influencing public safety via law enforcement oversight according to its official website. The office holds statutory power over prosecution and regulation matters according to its official website while providing state legal representation as well as consumer protection initiatives according to its official website. It operates as a state agency focused on justice across New Jersey according to its official website.
