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The Legal Defense Fund (LDF) and Lambda Legal filed a federal lawsuit today challenging threeexecutive orders issued by President Donald Trump. According to the groups, the ordersthreaten civil rights and the ability of organizations to provide vital social and health services.The lawsuit—National Urban League v. Trump—was filed in the U.S. District Court for theDistrict of Columbia. It claims that the orders violate the First and Fifth Amendments bytargeting diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility (DEIA) programs, and transgender rights.The organizations involved, including the National Urban League (NUL), National Fair HousingAlliance (NFHA), and AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC), argue that the orders “severely limitorganizations’ ability to provide critical services” such as HIV treatment, fair housing support,and employment assistance. These restrictions, they say, disproportionately harm people ofcolor, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and those living with HIV.
Orders in QuestionThe lawsuit targets three executive orders signed by President Trump on January 20 and 21:1. Executive Order No. 14151 – Ending Radical and Wasteful DEI Programs and Preferencing2. Executive Order No. 14168 – Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and RestoringBiological Truth to the Federal Government3. Executive Order No. 14173 – Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-BasedOpportunity
Together, these orders terminate equity-related grants and ban federally funded entities fromengaging in DEIA efforts or acknowledging transgender identities. Janai Nelson, President andDirector-Counsel of LDF described the orders as “unconstitutional attacks on historicallymarginalized communities,” adding that they “perpetuate false stereotypes and underminemultiracial democracy.” Lambda Legal’s HIV Project Director, Jose Abrigo, called the policies“dangerous and dehumanizing,” emphasizing their potential to “put lives at risk” by defundinghealth services vital to marginalized groups.Impact on Communities
Marc H. Morial, President & CEO of the National Urban League, noted that NUL programs haveplaced over a quarter-million people in jobs over the past decade, often with federal support.“This assault on diversity, equity, and inclusion is discriminatory at best and institutionalizedeconomic oppression at its worst,” Morial stated. John Peller, President & CEO of AFC, warnedthat the orders could impede efforts to combat the HIV epidemic. “We must be able to prioritizeBlack, Latine, LGBTQ+ people, and transgender women in our work. These executive orderswould prohibit us from doing that critical and lifesaving work,” he said. Lisa Rice, President andCEO of the NFHA, described the orders as “chaotic and illegal,” arguing that they dismantlelongstanding fair housing protections. “The President cannot undo the Constitution or takeaway our rights with a signature,” Rice asserted.
Legal Claims and Relief SoughtThe plaintiffs contend that the executive orders infringe on their free speech by censoringDEIA-related communications, violating due process through vague prohibitions, anddiscriminating against marginalized groups. They seek declaratory and injunctive relief to haltenforcement of the orders. “These orders drip with contempt for transgender people,” Abrigosaid. “Defunding organizations that support marginalized communities punishes them forstriving to improve lives.” The lawsuit also argued that there are broader consequences of theadministration’s actions. “Beyond spreading inaccurate, divisive rhetoric, these orders tie thehands of organizations providing critical services,” Nelson stated. “We stand with our clients toensure these unconstitutional orders are struck down.”
A Call to Protect Civil RightsExecutive orders and lawsuits have come as concerns soar about the rollback of civil rightsprotections. “Fair housing and equal opportunity are national policies of the United States,”Rice said. “Any effort to divide and treat people unfairly contradicts our founding principles.”The organizations are urging swift judicial intervention to prevent further harm to vulnerablecommunities. “We cannot allow decades of civil rights progress to be erased,” Nelson declared.For many, the stakes are personal. Will, an AFC program participant living with HIV, shared, “Assomeone who has relied on these services, I am deeply concerned about what’s at risk if wecan’t name the issues our people face.”