Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark announced on Mar. 23 that she has joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging new conditions imposed on U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funding for states.
The lawsuit alleges that the Trump administration’s requirements violate both the Spending Clause of the U.S. Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act by attaching unrelated and vague policy demands to critical federal grants. The attorneys general argue that these conditions threaten essential programs serving vulnerable populations, including children, families, seniors, and people with disabilities.
According to Clark and her counterparts, USDA has threatened penalties if states do not comply with expansive funding conditions related to immigration, diversity, equity and inclusion, and gender identity—issues they say are not connected to the purpose of USDA programs such as school lunches or nutrition assistance. “Imposing these funding conditions on programs that feed the most vulnerable Americans is illegal and cruel,” said Attorney General Clark. “It also, unfortunately, keeps with a theme of this Administration of violating the Constitution and federal law – regardless of the cost to Americans – to further the President’s extreme social agenda.”
The contested rules took effect December 31, 2025. They require states receiving USDA funds to agree broadly to comply with policies set by the Trump administration but do not specify which policies apply or how they will be enforced. The coalition claims this leaves state governments uncertain about compliance requirements while risking loss of crucial support for food security initiatives.
USDA programs at stake include those feeding approximately 30 million children nationwide through school lunch efforts as well as supporting food production research and firefighting capacity.
Clark is joined in this legal action by attorneys general from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon Rhode Island Virginia Washington and Wisconsin.
