Washington State Joins Lawsuit Over USDA Food Assistance Mandates

Coalition of states sues USDA over new funding conditions tied to immigration, diversity, and gender identity policies

Mar. 24, 2026 at 9:43pm

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Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown has joined 20 other attorneys general in suing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), claiming the agency is imposing unconstitutional and unlawful conditions on billions of dollars in federal funding that support essential programs like the school lunch program, SNAP, WIC, and TEFAP.

Why it matters

The lawsuit argues that the new USDA funding conditions, which threaten to withhold food assistance from states that don't comply with federal policies on immigration, diversity, equity, inclusion, and gender identity, violate the Constitution's Spending Clause and could jeopardize vital nutrition programs that feed millions of children, families, seniors, and rural communities across the country.

The details

The coalition of states contends that USDA has overstepped its authority by tying federal funding for essential food assistance programs to compliance with vague and expansive requirements related to immigration status, gender identity, and diversity initiatives. The lawsuit seeks to block USDA from enforcing these new conditions, which the states argue were imposed without clear notice and in an arbitrary manner.

  • On December 31, 2025, the new USDA funding conditions went into effect.
  • In February 2025, the USDA Secretary, acting under a Trump executive order, directed agency staff to align benefit programs with federal policies on immigration, gender identity, diversity, and inclusion.
  • In March 2025, the USDA Secretary sent a letter to the California Governor announcing a review of federal funding for education and research programs in the state to ensure compliance with federal law.

The players

Nick Brown

The Attorney General of Washington State, who has joined 20 other state attorneys general in filing the lawsuit against the USDA.

Brooke Rollins

The Secretary of Agriculture, who directed USDA staff to align benefit programs with federal policies on immigration, gender identity, diversity, and inclusion.

Donald Trump

The former President who issued the Executive Order "Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders" that the USDA cited as the basis for its new funding conditions.

Gavin Newsom

The Governor of California, who received a letter from the USDA Secretary announcing a review of federal funding for education and research programs in the state.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

The federal agency that is imposing the new funding conditions on essential food assistance programs that the coalition of states is suing over.

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What they’re saying

“These programs support children, working families, seniors, and rural communities. Threatening to withhold food assistance from kids and vulnerable families is heartless—and against the law. That's why it's important that we fight back so Washingtonians get the support they need.”

— Nick Brown, Attorney General of Washington State

“The steps were intended to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent appropriately, prevent fraud, and deter the use of federal funds in jurisdictions with 'sanctuary' policies.”

— Brooke Rollins, Secretary of Agriculture

What’s next

The judge presiding over the lawsuit will decide whether to block the USDA from enforcing the new funding conditions while the case proceeds.

The takeaway

This lawsuit highlights the ongoing tensions between states and the federal government over issues of immigration, diversity, and social policies, and the potential impacts on essential food assistance programs that millions of Americans rely on.