The City of Seattle has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for threatening to withhold federal grants from recipients that recognize the rights of transgender people and refuse to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Specifically, Executive Order 14168 removes legal recognition of transgender people by the government, and Executive Order 14173 orders the removal of DEI programs in all institutions that receive federal funding. The City of Seattle argues that threatening to withhold federal funding for a city due to the city's policies recognizing transgender rights and operating DEI programs violates the separation of powers, the Fifth and Tenth Amendment, the Spending Clause of the Constitution, and the Administrative Procedure Act. The City seeks declaratory and injunctive relief.
