Fresno Sues Kristi Noem, Pam Bondi Over Restrictions on First Responder Grants

Lawsuit alleges Trump-era executive orders on DEI and immigration compliance are unconstitutional

Feb. 23, 2026 at 6:55pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The city of Fresno has joined several other California and Oregon cities and counties in suing the Department of Homeland Security, alleging that restrictions on federal grant funding for firefighters and police officers based on compliance with President Trump's policies on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and immigration enforcement are unconstitutional. The lawsuit claims the conditions imposed on the grants, which come from executive orders signed by Trump, overstep congressional authority.

Why it matters

This lawsuit highlights the ongoing tensions between local governments and the federal administration over the use of federal grant funding to advance certain political agendas. The outcome could have significant implications for how cities and counties are able to access critical funding for public safety and other essential services.

The details

The lawsuit, filed by Fresno and several other California and Oregon cities and counties, alleges that the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, and Department of the Interior have used grant eligibility to promote Trump's political agenda, including prohibiting DEI initiatives and requiring compliance with federal immigration enforcement. Fresno did not apply for Department of Justice police grants in 2025 due to these requirements. The lawsuit argues the executive orders behind the grant conditions are illegal and unconstitutional, as Congress did not impose such restrictions when approving the funding.

  • In 2023, the federal government gave Fresno $7.4 million to hire firefighters under the SAFER grant.
  • Two years before that, in 2021, the city received nearly $13 million under the same grant for the same purpose.
  • In 2025, the city did not apply for Department of Justice grants for police officers because of the DEI and immigration requirements.

The players

Fresno

The city of Fresno, California, which has received tens of millions in federal grants for firefighters and police in recent years.

Kristi Noem

The former governor of South Dakota who is named as a defendant in the lawsuit.

Pam Bondi

The former Attorney General of Florida who is also named as a defendant in the lawsuit.

Department of Homeland Security

The federal agency that the lawsuit alleges has used grant eligibility to promote Trump's political agenda.

Department of Justice

The federal agency that the lawsuit alleges has used grant eligibility to promote Trump's political agenda.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on a future date whether to grant an injunction to block the enforcement of the grant restrictions.

The takeaway

This lawsuit highlights the ongoing tensions between local governments and the federal administration over the use of federal grant funding to advance certain political agendas. The outcome could have significant implications for how cities and counties are able to access critical funding for public safety and other essential services.