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 over new conditions placed on U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant funding.
The case is significant because it challenges federal requirements that could affect billions in funding for programs such as food assistance and firefighting equipment, which serve vulnerable groups across New Jersey and other states.
According to the complaint, the USDA’s new conditions require states to comply with undefined federal policies related to immigration, diversity, equity and inclusion, and gender identity—none of which are directly connected to the purpose of USDA grants. The lawsuit seeks a court order blocking these requirements from being enforced on key programs like school lunches, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), and Volunteer Fire Capacity Program.
“The Trump Administration cannot make cruel funding restrictions without any basis in law or fact,” said Attorney General Davenport. “I will not let people go hungry because of the Administration’s latest effort to impose unrelated ideological conditions on essential services.”
The suit argues that these vague conditions violate both the spending clause by being coercive and unclear, as well as the Administrative Procedure Act by being arbitrary, unconstitutional, contrary to law, and beyond USDA authority. In fiscal year 2025 alone, New Jersey received approximately $1.93 billion in SNAP funds through its Department of Human Services; $658 million for Child Nutrition Programs via its Department of Agriculture; $12 million from TEFAP; $210 million for WIC through its Department of Health; plus additional support for wildfire defense programs.
Davenport joins attorneys general from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island,Vermont,V irginia ,Washington ,and Wisconsin in this legal action. The complaint notes that previous lawsuits brought by New Jersey challenging similar grant restrictions have been resolved favorably or resulted in early rulings for the state.
The office led by Attorney General Matthew Platkin is responsible for protecting residents’ lives and property throughout all counties in New Jersey according to its official website. The agency also enforces laws statewide according to its official website, influences public safety through oversight according to its official website, prosecutes offenses under statutory mandate according to its official website, provides services including victim advocacy and consumer protection initiatives according to its official website, and handles legal representation across justice matters statewide according to its official website.
