Legal Actions

Environmental and agricultural organizations have sued the Trump administration for unlawfully withholding grant funds appropriated by Congress through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The plaintiffs argue that the Trump administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are unlawfully withholding funds in violation of the Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and seek a court order requiring the administration to fulfill its financial commitments, release the funds, and prevent further irreparable harm.

A group of conservation organizations filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's freeze on funding from the Congressionally-approved Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The freeze was ordered through President Trump’s “Unleashing American Energy” executive order and implemented by the Office of Management and Budget, Environmental Protection Agency, and the Departments of Agriculture, Energy, and the Interior. Plaintiffs argue that the administration's decision to suspend billions in funding is an arbitrary and capricious decision that violates the Administrative Procedure Act.

The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) and the City of Santa Fe, New Mexico, filed a lawsuit against AmeriCorps for limiting plaintiffs' program funding as directed by President Trump's executive orders targeting DEI programs, LGBTQ+ communities, and climate change initiatives. AmeriCorps sent plaintiffs a letter stating that all funding would be revoked unless grantees complied with President Trump’s EOs. Plaintiffs argue that the new AmeriCorps conditions violate the separation of powers, the Spending Clause of the Constitution, and the Administrative Procedure Act. Plaintiffs seek declaratory and injunctive relief, as well as an order vacating the AmeriCorps Directive.

Law firm Perkins Coie has sued the Trump administration for issuing an executive order that targets the firm's work, including by limiting security clearances and federal contracts. Plaintiff argues that the order violates core constitutional rights, including the rights to free speech and due process. Perkins Coie asks the Court to permanently enjoin the federal government from implementing or enforcing EO 14230.

Asian American coalition groups, the Sierra Club, and the Union of Concerned Scientists have challenged the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and Elon Musk for operating beyond their authorities, as they have cut federal funding, dismantled federal agencies, and fired federal employees. This lawsuit challenges DOGE's violation of the constitutionally-established separation of powers. On March 20, 2025, this case was consolidated with New Mexico v. Musk (1:25-cv-00429), and continues under New Mexico v. Musk.

An environmental group representing a coalition of nonprofit financial institutions awarded grant funding from the federal Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) has filed a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Citibank for illegally withholding obligated funds. These financial institutions have been unable to draw funds from EPA-controlled accounts at Citibank for three weeks and were not provided an explanation from EPA or Citibank despite formal inquiries. Plaintiff alleges that the EPA has acted to prevent Citibank from dispersing funds, harming plaintiff, its borrowers, and the communities it serves in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act, federal regulations, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the Appropriations and Due Process Clauses of the Constitution. Plaintiff seeks declaratory and injunctive relief.

Native American tribes and students have sued the U.S. Department of Interior and Office of Indian Affairs in response to Executive Order 14210, which initiated large-scale staff reductions at the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) and BIE-run schools, Haskell Indian Nations University and Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute. BIE conducted these staff reductions without notification to and consultation with the Tribal Nations as required by the law. Plaintiffs argue that BIE's deferred resignation program and its termination of probationary employees was contrary to law and arbitrary and capricious. Plaintiffs also allege that BIE failed its duty to consult with the tribes before implementing such employment actions. On July 8, 2025, the parties agreed to stay the case until the BIA completes its review of oral and written comments and takes any actions related to the consultation regarding EO 14210.

Immigrant and workers rights organizations have sued Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and Acting IRS Commissioner Melanie Krauss to prevent the IRS from unlawfully disclosing tax return information to immigration enforcement authorities. The IRS is required to keep tax records private and confidential for all taxpayers, including undocumented workers, unless disclosure is specifically allowed by law. Though there is no law that permits disclosure of tax records for immigration enforcement, the Trump administration has sought to access data to support mass deportation. Plaintiffs request that the IRS continue to protect taxpayer privacy as required by law.