On March 23, 2026, California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell co-led a coalition of 21 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s attempt to impose new discriminatory conditions on U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grants. The conditions would require federal funding recipients to comply with vague and unrelated policies on immigration, gender ideology, transgender athletes, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.  

The USDA has refused to confirm the specific grants or programs to which it intends to apply the new conditions. Overall, Congress appropriates billions yearly to meet Americans’ needs for nutrition, supporting domestic food production, and strengthening food security systems.  Many of these programs have been made permanent, with direction that these programs are designed to promote the health and general welfare of Americans. These grants and programs provide critical lifelines to vulnerable communities, families, and children through school lunches, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding, and other essential programs. The plaintiff states argue that subjecting these programs to funding conditions in support of highly partisan policies unrelated to the programs, including by eliminating wholly lawful positions and programs, violates both the U.S. Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act. The suit asks the court to block the administration from enforcing the conditions or withholding funds on that basis.  

This attack on vital programs is just another line item in the President’s long list of failed attempts to weaponize essential funding as a political bargaining chip. It was illegal before, and it’s still illegal now. Instead of helping vulnerable families and children, President Trump is attempting to use funds as leverage for other points on his political to-do list. Except, this isn’t leverage — it’s funding to help families and children. We don’t wake up looking to fight against the Trump Administration; we’re fighting for Californians. Unfortunately, all too often, those end up being the same fight. Once again, we will see this Administration in court.Attorney General Rob Bonta

USDA funding helps keep kids and families fed and healthy. Attempting to use this critical funding to further unrelated policy goals of the Trump administration is wrong and unlawful.Attorney General Josh Kaul