The American Bar Association (ABA) filed this lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), challenging the termination of $3.2 million in grants that supported training for attorneys assisting victims of domestic and sexual violence. The Deputy Attorney General issued a memorandum restricting DOJ attorneys from participating in ABA-sponsored events and accusing the ABA of promoting “activist causes." The ABA argues that this action violates its First Amendment rights and the Administrative Procedure Act. The ABA seeks declaratory and injunctive relief, including interim and permanent orders preventing the DOJ from rescinding the grants, reinstating funding, and prohibiting similar retaliatory actions in the future.
Based on updates from the parties, the case was administratively closed on July 17, 2025, and the parties were directed to file a further status report by October 1, 2027, unless new developments required earlier updates.
