The federal District Court in Rhode Island (Melissa R. DuBose) has temporarily enjoined the Trump Administration from enforcing new anti-diversity, equity and inclusion provisions in grants to help support survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and individuals without stable housing.
Following up on a previous temporary restraining order, the Court found that the challenged provisions are likely to be in violation of the Administrative Procedures Act. “Although details of the Defendants’ decisionmaking process may be revealed later in the litigation pipeline, at this preliminary injunction stage, the Court must conclude that the defendants engaged in a baseless and arbitrary process,” it wrote.
In addition, although not necessary for its ruling, the Court found that the anti-DEI conditions are likely to violate the First Amendment right of free speech and the Fifth Amendment prohibition on vagueness.
The case was brought by more than 20 nonprofit coalitions that receive grants from the federal government for their work. (Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence v. Kennedy, D. RI, No. 25-cv-342, 10/10/25.)
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