Our Cases
We have brought a number of cases to put a stop to the Administration’s actions that violate the rights of Americans and harm Rhode Islanders.
Birthright Citizenship
On January 21, 2025, a coalition of 20 attorneys general filed a suit in Massachusetts challenging an executive order purporting to end birthright citizenship.
Federal Funding Freeze
On January 28, 2025, a coalition of 23 attorneys general filed a suit in Rhode Island challenging a directive pursuant to executive orders to freeze federal financial assistance that Congress had previously allocated to states and other organizations.
DOGE
In two different cases, we have argued alongside a coalition of attorneys general that the private data the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has accessed and other sweeping actions it has taken violate federal law and the Constitution.
NIH Indirect Costs
On February 10, 2025, a coalition of 23 attorneys general filed a suit in Massachusetts challenging a National Institute of Health directive to cut funds for medical and public health research at universities and research institutions.
Federal Workers
On March 7, 2025, a coalition of 20 attorneys general filed a suit in Maryland challenging the actions of numerous federal agencies for conducting illegal mass layoffs of federal probationary employees
Department of Education
On March 13, 2025, a coalition of 21 attorneys general filed a suit in Massachusetts challenging the Administration's actions to dismantle of the Department of Education.
Public Health Funding
On April 1, 2025, a coalition of 24 attorneys general filed a suit in Rhode Island challenging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., for abruptly and illegally terminating nearly $11 billion in critical public health grants to the states.
Elections
On April 3, 2025, a coalition of 20 attorneys general filed a suit in Massachusetts challenging an executive order that attempts to impose documentary proof of citizenship requirements when Americans seek to register to vote
NIH Research Grants
On April 4, 2025, a coalition of 17 attorneys general filed a suit in Massachusetts challenging the Administration’s unreasonable and intentional delays in reviewing NIH grant applications, as well as its termination of hundreds of already-issued grants.
Libraries, Workers, and Small Businesses
On April 4, 2025, a coalition of 20 attorneys general filed a suit in Rhode Island challenging the Trump Administration's executive order dismantling of three federal agencies that provide services and funding supporting public libraries and museums, workers, and small businesses nationwide.
K-12 School Funding
On April 25, 2025, a coalition of 19 attorneys general filed a suit in Massachusetts challenging the U.S. Department of Education’s threat to withhold federal funding from state and local agencies that refuse to abandon lawful programs and policies that promote equal access to education in K-12 classrooms across the nation.
AmeriCorps
On Tuesday, April 29, a coalition of 23 attorneys general filed a suit in Maryland challenging the Trump Administration’s termination of AmeriCorps grants and the dismantling of the agency.
HHS
On May 5, 2025, a coalition of 20 attorneys general filed a suit in Rhode Island challenging the Administration's actions to dismantle the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Wind Energy
On May 5, 2025, a coalition of 18 attorneys general filed a suit in Massachusetts challenging the Trump Administration's unlawful attempt to freeze the development of wind energy.
Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Funding
On May 7, 2025, a coalition of 17 attorneys general filed a suit in Washington to stop the Trump administration from illegally terminating billions in congressionally-approved funding for electric vehicle infrastructure.
Energy Emergency
On May 9, 2025, a coalition of 15 attorneys general filed a lawsuit in Washington challenging the President’s false “energy emergency."
FEMA Grants
On May 13, 2025, a coalition of attorneys general filed a lawsuit in Rhode Island against the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to challenge a directive to cease federal funding to jurisdictions that do not assist the federal government in the enforcement of federal immigration law.
Transportation Grants
On May 13, 2025, a coalition of attorneys general filed a lawsuit in Rhode Island against Department of Transportation (DOT) and DOT Secretary Sean Duffy to challenge a directive that requires all state and local governments to assist in federal immigration enforcement as a condition of obtaining DOT funds.