Attorney General Jay Jones announced on Mar. 24 that he has joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration for imposing new conditions on U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funding programs.
The legal action challenges what the coalition describes as unconstitutional and unlawful requirements attached to critical USDA programs, including those providing food assistance and support to rural communities. The lawsuit argues that these new rules threaten penalties if states do not comply with federal policies related to immigration, diversity, equity, inclusion, and gender identity—areas the attorneys general say are unrelated to the intended purpose of USDA funds.
“The Trump administration continues to target lifelines like food and safety for millions of people in Virginia with continued aggressive, arbitrary, and illegal overreach,” said Attorney General Jay Jones. “The new rules seek to politicize school lunches, food stamps, and even limiting volunteer firefighting capacity for rural communities. We will not allow Virginia’s children, families, and seniors to bear the brunt of Donald Trump’s callous and lawless policies that put their futures and their lives at risk. My office will continue to use every legal tool at its disposal to ensure the safety and security of Virginians in our fight against continued attacks from the federal government.”
The complaint asks the court to block enforcement of these conditions on major programs such as school lunches; Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC); Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP); and Volunteer Fire Capacity Program. According to estimates cited by Jones’ office, nearly one million Virginians face hunger while about one in ten residents rely on SNAP benefits—including children, seniors, and adults with disabilities—and WIC serves up to 127,000 recipients monthly in Virginia alone.
Attorney General Jones contends that effective Dec. 31 last year, USDA adopted requirements demanding states comply with federal directives without clearly specifying which policies must be followed or how they would be enforced. The suit alleges violations under both the Spending Clause—due to coercive terms lacking clear notice—and under the Administrative Procedure Act because these rules are described as arbitrary or beyond statutory authority.
Miyares holds the position as the 48th Attorney General of Virginia according to the official website. The Attorney General’s office supports civil rights enforcement efforts; provides victim assistance programs; offers consumer protection resources for identity theft or fraud reporting; addresses issues such as human trafficking through legal advocacy; serves all regions across Virginia; provides counsel for state agencies; promotes public safety; defends constitutional rights—all roles detailed on its official site.
Joining Jones in this lawsuit are attorneys general from California through Wisconsin—a total group representing diverse regions across America—seeking an injunction against implementation or enforcement of these disputed USDA funding conditions.
