Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence v. Bondi filed on behalf of Nationwide group of domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions

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Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence v. Bondi

Filed on behalf of

Nationwide group of domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions

In response to the Trump administration's efforts to

Further undermine diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the public and private sectors

Embolden discrimination and hate towards transgender people

Case Number

1:25-CV-00279

View Docket

View Appellate Docket

Filed

June 16, 2025

U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island

Relief Outcomes

Preliminary Injunction

Granted

Summary

A nationwide group of state domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions filed a lawsuit against the Trump-Vance administration for conditioning federal funding on adherence to certain political and ideological positions related to transgender rights, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and immigration policy. The plaintiffs argued that these conditions violated the statutory requirements of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), the Administrative Procedure Act, the Spending Clause, the Separation of Powers doctrine, and the First and Fifth Amendments.

Plaintiffs

Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence California Partnership to End Domestic Violence Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault District of Columbia Coalition Against Domestic Violence End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin: The Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence Jane Doe Inc., The Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence Montana Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence ValorUS Violence Free Minnesota Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence Hawai'i State Coalition Against Domestic Violence Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Plaintiffs' Counsel

Democracy Forward Foundation Jacobson Lawyers Group PLLC National Women's Law Center The Lawyers’ Committee for Rhode Island ACLU of Rhode Island

Defendants

U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi U.S. Department of Justice Acting Director Ginger Baran Lyons Office on Violence Against Women Office for Victims of Crime Office of Justice Programs Deputy Director Ginger Baran Lyons Deputy Assistant Attorney General Maureen Henneberg