Maryland joins lawsuit over USDA funding conditions

Todd Karpovich, The Baltimore Sun on Mar 24, 2026

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

BALTIMORE — Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general in suing the U.S. Department of Agriculture over new funding conditions the states argue are unlawful and could jeopardize food assistance and other programs.

The lawsuit challenges a policy adopted Dec. 31, 2025, that requires states receiving USDA funding to comply with federal positions on immigration, diversity, equity and inclusion, and gender identity. The attorneys general argue that those conditions are unrelated to the purpose of USDA programs and could be enforced arbitrarily.

In the complaint, the coalition asks a federal court to block the agency from imposing the conditions on a range of programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children and the national school lunch program.

Brown said the policy threatens essential services for vulnerable residents.

“The USDA is threatening to deny critical food assistance to Maryland’s most vulnerable — our children, seniors and working families — to force compliance with its unlawful demands,” Brown said in a statement.

Officials with the USDA could not immediately be reached for comment.

According to the lawsuit, the states argue the Trump administration violated the Spending Clause by attaching coercive conditions without clear notice. They also contend the policy violates the Administrative Procedure Act because it is arbitrary, capricious and beyond the agency’s authority.

USDA programs provide food assistance to millions nationwide and support agricultural research, rural communities and emergency services. In Maryland, those programs account for more than $2 billion annually in funding and benefits, according to the attorney general’s office.

The coalition includes attorneys general from states such as California, New York, Illinois and Virginia, along with the District of Columbia. The lawsuit seeks to prevent the USDA from enforcing the new conditions while the case proceeds.

----------