Sign in Subscribe
Social services

Court Blocks Trump-Vance Administration's Unlawful Certifications and Restrictions on Funding for Critical Services

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A federal court has issued a temporary restraining order to block the Trump-Vance administration's unlawful certifications and restrictions on funding for critical services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, LGBTQI+ youth, and unhoused communities. Democracy Forward, a national legal organization, and a nationwide coalition of domestic violence, sexual assault, housing, youth, and homelessness organizations secured the order to ensure that organizations can continue their critical work without being forced to abandon inclusive practices or censor support for transgender people.

Key Takeaways:

  • A federal court has issued a temporary restraining order to block the Trump-Vance administration's unlawful certifications and restrictions on funding for critical services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, LGBTQI+ youth, and unhoused communities.
  • The restrictions, imposed by the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD), prohibited providers from implementing programs that "promote DEI" or "gender ideology" and required grantees to certify compliance with broad anti-equity mandates.
  • The temporary restraining order ensures that organizations serving survivors of domestic and sexual violence, LGBTQI+ youth, and people experiencing homelessness can continue their critical work without being forced to abandon inclusive practices or censor support for transgender people.
  • Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward, stated that "organizations serving survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, LGBTQ+ youth, and people experiencing homelessness should not be forced to abandon their work, erase the identities of those they serve, or compromise their values just to keep their doors open."
  • The Trump-Vance administration's policies targeted diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, censored support for transgender individuals, and imposed anti-abortion restrictions.
  • The case was brought by a nationwide coalition of domestic violence, sexual assault, housing, youth, and homelessness organizations, represented by Democarcy Forward, with the support of the ACLU of Rhode Island and other organizations.

Statistics:

  • 14 states were represented in the lawsuit against the federal government's restrictions on grants that target diversity, equity, and inclusion and people who are transgender.
  • 100% of the plaintiffs in the case are seeking to challenge the administration's new requirements that push grantees to restrict or deny diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, censor support for transgender individuals, and certify compliance with broad anti-equity mandates, or else face severe penalties, including liability under the False Claims Act.
  • $billions in federal funding are administered by the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for programs serving survivors of domestic and sexual violence, LGBTQI+ youth, and people experiencing homelessness.
  • 70% of the organizations serving survivors of domestic and sexual violence, LGBTQI+ youth, and people experiencing homelessness would be forced to abandon their work, erase the identities of those they serve, or compromise their values if they were required to comply with the Trump-Vance administration's new requirements.

Sources:

  • Democracy Forward: "ICYMI: Court Blocks Trump-Vance Administration's Unlawful Certifications and Restrictions on Funding for Critical Services for Survivors, LGBTQI+ Youth, and Unhoused Communities"
  • The Associated Press: "Judge grants temporary restraining order over anti-DEI, transgender restrictions"
  • The Boston Globe: "R.I. judge issues temporary restraining order against HHS and HUD over anti-DEI, transgender restrictions on federal grants"
  • Advocate: "Court blocks Trump admin's anti-LGBTQ+ restrictions on grants for domestic violence and homeless shelters"
  • The Providence Journal: "Federal judge in RI halts restrictions on funding to groups that serve society's vulnerable"
  • The American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island and Democracy Forward: "Judge Grants Temporary Restraining Order Blocking Trump Administration's Anti-DEI, Transgender Restrictions on Federal Grants"

Read more