Lawsuit Filed: Feb. 24, 2025
Outcome Achieved: May 13, 2025
Stopping the Trump Administration’s Climate Censorship
What’s at Stake
Farmers were stripped of vital resources due to the purge of climate web content.
Outcome of the Lawsuit
Days before a motion was set to be heard in federal court, USDA reversed course, committing to restore the purged content.
Our Clients
Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York, NRDC, and EWG are represented by Earthjustice and the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University.
“We’re glad that USDA recognized that its blatantly unlawful purge of climate-change-related information is harming farmers and communities across the country.”
— Jeffrey Stein
Attorney in Earthjustice’s Sustainable Food & Farming Program in an interview with The New York Times on the settlement
About the Lawsuit
Joshua A. Bickel / AP
About the Lawsuit
The Problem
The Trump administration removed climate-related information from government websites.
All farmers in the U.S. are facing extreme and changing weather patterns.
Our Response
Earthjustice sued the USDA, asking a court to restore access to vital climate information and prohibit further website purging.
We have long pushed the government to help farmers adapt through climate-smart agriculture practices and reducing industrial agriculture’s climate impact.
Video
Ujesh Krishnan / Unsplash
“You can purge a website of the words ‘climate change,’ but that doesn’t mean climate change goes away.”
— Peter Lehner
Managing Attorney of Earthjustice’s Sustainable Food & Farming Program, in an interview with The New York Times
Lawsuit Filed: June 5, 2025
Stopping Illegal USDA Grant Terminations
What’s at Stake
Farmers and nonprofits across the U.S. have faced serious economic hardship due to the Trump administration freezing funding for programs that provide essential support to rural communities.
Our Clients
Agroecology Commons, Oakville Bluegrass Collective, and the Urban Sustainability Directors Network are represented by FarmSTAND, Earthjustice, and Farmers Justice Center
“The Trump administration’s pattern of unlawfully terminating grants that benefit farmers is both cruel and illegal. The law does not allow the government to change the rules retroactively.”
— Carrie Apfel
Deputy Managing Attorney, Sustainable Food & Farming, Earthjustice
About the Lawsuit
What Happened
Each of the plaintiffs received from USDA a barely-edited form cancelling its grant on the basis that it “no longer serves agency priorities.” The organizations use USDA grants to create a healthier nation and a fair food system.
Our Response
Our lawsuit seeks to reverse the grant terminations and address the alarming trend of USDA’s cancellation of grant funding.
Lawsuit Filed: May 22, 2025
Defending the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument
What’s at Stake
In one of the world’s most pristine tropical marine environments, even short-term commercial fishing can inflict long-term, irreparable harm.
Our Clients
Kāpaʻa, Conservation Council for Hawai‘i, Center for Biological Diversity
Article
Kelvin Gorospe / NOAA
“The islands within the monument are part of Moananuiākea, a term used to describe the Pacific Ocean and its connection to Hawaiian culture, traditions, and values.”
— Solomon Pili Kaho’ohalahala
Founding Member of Kāpaʻa, Earthjustice client
About the Lawsuit
What Happened
President Trump signed a proclamation in April that seeks to strip protections around Jarvis Island, Wake Island, and Johnston Atoll, allowing vessels to fish commercially.
Our Response
Our lawsuit challenges President Trump’s proclamation as unlawful for exceeding the president’s constitutional authority and infringing upon the powers reserved to Congress.
Intervention Filed: May 22, 2025
Restoring Funds for National EV Network
What’s at Stake
The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program is a transformative, $5 billion initiative to build electric vehicle charging stations every 50 miles on major corridors across all 50 states.
Our Partners
Sierra Club, Climate Solutions, NRDC, Plug In America, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, CleanAIRE NC, West End Revitalization Association, Southern Environmental Law Center
About the Lawsuit
Thomas Barwick / Getty Images
About the Lawsuit
What Happened
The Federal Highway Administration and Dept. of Transportation acted without authority, unreasonably, and in violation of the Constitution when they indefinitely froze the NEVI Formula Program.
Our Response
Earthjustice filed a motion to intervene in a lawsuit in which 17 states are challenging the administration’s actions. The coalition is seeking the nationwide restoration of NEVI funds to build EV charging stations along highways in every corner of the country.
Map
Rural and midwestern states may have more funds to lose, per person, if NEVI funds are rescinded. See your state.
“Without investments to build out electric vehicle charging, the United States will be left behind while the rest of the world moves forward.”
— Jan Hasselman
Senior Attorney in Earthjustice’s Northwest Office
Lawsuit Filed: May 20, 2025
Protecting Critically Endangered Rice’s Whale From Oil, Gas Impacts
What’s at Stake
The biological opinion allows a stunning amount of harm to Gulf species, including the critically endangered Rice’s whale.
Our Clients
Sierra Club, Center for Biological Diversity, Friends of the Earth, Turtle Island Restoration Network
About the Lawsuit
Paul Nagelkirk / NOAA Fisheries - NMFS ESA/MMPA Permit #21938
“The law requires that marine species get protection, and this biological opinion doesn’t provide it.”
— Chris Eaton
Senior Attorney in Earthjustice’s Oceans Program
About the Lawsuit
What Happened
Under the law, before the Inerior Dept. can lease areas of the Gulf of Mexico to oil and gas drillers or authorize drilling activities, the National Marine Fisheries Service must first assess how threatened and endangered species, such as the Rice’s whale, are likely to be harmed.
Our Response
The lawsuit was filed to properly protect rare species from being harmed or killed by fossil fuel drilling and exploration in the Gulf of Mexico. NMFS admits that vessel strikes alone will kill nine Rice’s whales and seriously injure three more over the next 45 years.
Amicus Filed: May 15, 2025
What’s at Stake
Trump’s directive to stop all wind permitting and its implementation by federal agencies has halted most wind-energy development.
Our Client & Partners
Earthjustice represented Environmental Advocates NY. The amicus brief was filed by: NRDC, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Conservation Law Foundation, Environmental Advocates NY, Environmental Defense Fund, Environmental Protection Information Center, National Wildlife Federation, New York League of Conservation Voters, Sierra Club, Southern Environmental Law Center
Benefits of Wind Energy
Robert Nickelsberg / Getty Images
Wind turbine service technicians have been the fastest growing U.S. job of the decade.
About the Lawsuit
What Happened
On day one of his second term, President Trump issued a memo directing federal agencies to stop all permitting for both offshore and onshore wind energy projects.
Our Response
Joined 10 environmental groups in supporting an effort by states and industry to overturn the government-wide ban on new wind energy projects.
“Wind plays a critical role in powering our lives ... Halting all wind project approvals indefinitely without any reasoned explanation is both arbitrary and unlawful.”
— Jill Tauber
VP of Litigation for Climate & Energy, Earthjustice
Lawsuit Filed: Feb. 19, 2025
Protecting Oceans From Oil and Gas Drilling
What’s at Stake
Opening up millions of acres of undeveloped public waters to future offshore drilling poses significant threats to nearly every coastal community in the United States.
Our Clients
Oceana, Center for Biological Diversity, the Surfrider Foundation, Greenpeace, Healthy Gulf, Northern Alaska Environmental Center, Alaska Wilderness League, Turtle Island Restoration Network
“We defeated Trump the first time he tried to roll back protections and sacrifice more of our waters to the oil industry.
“We’re bringing this abuse of the law to the courts again.”
— Steve Mashuda
Managing Attorney of Earthjustice’s Oceans Program
President Biden permanently protected millions of vulnerable acres in the ocean. President Trump cannot legally undo those protections.
Areas withdrawn by Biden admin. from oil and gas leasing
Previously protected areas nearby
Pacific Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
Gulf of Mexico
Casey Chin / Earthjustice. Data: BOEM
About the Lawsuit
What Happened
Amid a flurry of anti-environment executive orders on his first day in office, President Trump issued an illegal order to revoke former President Biden’s withdrawal of vulnerable areas of the ocean from future oil and gas leasing.
The law does not authorize the president to revoke the withdrawals of prior presidents.
Our Response
Earthjustice has long worked to oppose offshore drilling. We’ve had decades of litigation success against dangerous plans for oil drilling, and we’ll do it again with our lawsuit against Trump’s illegal order.
Article
Gregg Pachkowski for Earthjustice
“I could smell the oil before I could see it.”
— JJ Waters of Pensacola Beach, Fla.
15 years after BP's Deepwater Horizon disaster, one of the worst oil spills in U.S. history. Read article.
About the Lawsuit
Brad Zweerink / Earthjustice
Video
David Gomez / Getty Images
“America is blessed with a strong suite of environmental laws.”
— Drew Caputo
Earthjustice’s VP of Litigation for Lands, Oceans, Wildlife, explains the legal challenge to block the Trump administration’s illegal ocean drilling plan
“Living on the Gulf Coast, I have seen first-hand the harmful impacts to people and places by the oil and gas industry.”
— Joanie Steinhaus
Ocean Program Director for Turtle Island Restoration Network, Earthjustice Client
Lawsuit Filed: Mar. 13, 2025
Bringing Clean Energy to Everyone: Challenging the Federal Funding Freeze
What’s at Stake
The Trump administration froze federal funding appropriated by the Inflation Reduction Act for clean energy, conservation, and other projects, leaving thousands of Americans in the lurch.
Our Clients
Cultivate KC, Faith In Place, GreenLatinos, Hendrix Farm, Red Fire Farm, Two Boots Farm
Our Client
Ann-Marie VanTassell
“The USDA is the backbone of agriculture in our country … The government knows that farming is not a profitable endeavor, so to get screwed like this really hurts.”
— Elisa Lane
Owner of Two Boots Farm in Hampstead, Md.
About the Lawsuit
What Happened
The Trump administration unlawfully withheld grant funds appropriated by Congress through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the landmark climate law that contained billions of dollars in funding to help the middle class and small businesses be a part of the clean energy transition.
Our Response
Earthjustice sued the Trump administration and USDA.
We filed this lawsuit on behalf of IRA grant recipients who have been harmed by the freeze in funding for projects, including farmers, local governments, community groups, and tribes.
About the Lawsuit
Alyssa Schukar for Earthjustice
Our Client
Brad Zweerink / Earthjustice
“We were ready for a year of growth and now, with the funding freeze, we are in a year of ‘Let's hold on to what we have.’”
— Brien Darby
Executive Director of Cultivate KC
Our Client
“This funding freeze is more than an administrative delay. It is actively harming the people.”
— Brian Sauder
President and CEO of Faith in Place
Eric Davis for Earthjustice
“This is not government efficiency. It is thoughtless waste that inflicts unwarranted financial pain on small farmers and organizations trying to improve their communities.”
— Hana Vizcarra
Senior Attorney at Earthjustice
Lawsuit Filed: Mar. 4, 2025
Challenging the Attempt to “Terminate” New York’s Congestion Pricing Program
What’s at Stake
The program is raising millions for public transit improvements, resulting in cleaner air, and significantly reducing traffic.
Our Clients
Riders Alliance, Sierra Club
“After a decade of organizing, everyday New Yorkers won congestion relief, and we’ll defend it with everything we have.
“We can’t afford to go back. There is no way to make traffic gridlock great again.”
— Betsy Plum
Executive Director of Riders Alliance, Earthjustice client, on the lawsuit filing
About the Lawsuit
What Happened
The Trump administration’s Dept. of Transportation is attempting to end the nation’s first Congestion Pricing program.
Sec. Duffy claimed he had discovered a secret loophole.
Our Response
On behalf of our clients, Earthjustice filed a legal complaint, charging that DOT made serious legal mistakes in its rush to deprive New Yorkers of the benefits of the Congestion Pricing program.
About the Lawsuit
Alexander Spatari / Getty Images
“In its rush to end congestion pricing, the Trump administration is selling a flimsy excuse to try and make an end run around what the laws require.”
— Dror Ladin
Attorney in Earthjustice’s Northeast Office
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More Ways We Are Holding the Trump Administration Accountable
Featured
Trump Guts Environmental Justice Policies, but the Fight for Justice Continues
The administration is slashing initiatives meant to help communities of color and low-income communities facing high pollution burdens.
Millions of Americans Are Still Exposed to Lead. Take Action to Help.
Congress may repeal lead exposure protections, endangering millions of lives.
He Worked to Clean Up Superfund Sites.
Thousands of firings across the EPA and other federal agencies put our environment and public health at risk.
Featured
Polluters Can Now Email Their Way Out of Clean Air Laws, Courtesy of Trump
The administration is quietly stripping clean air standards from us by presidential decree, shifting pollution costs from corporate profit balance sheets onto our lungs.
Featured
The Trump Administration Is Trying to Put Our Federal Forests Up for Sale
If the Trump administration breaks the law to hold timber sales, we will see them in court.
Additional Photo Credits:
- An oil-coated feather washed onto a Pensacola beach on June 23, 2010, following the BP Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill. (Tech. Sgt. Emily F. Alley / U.S. Air Force)
- Jellyfish in the "Whaley" Seamount in the Jarvis Island Unit of the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument. The thick bright ends of its tentacles are where the nematocysts (stinging cells) are especially dense. (NOAA)
- Commercial fisherman Kevin Merrick dumps shrimp into an ice chest after a morning of shrimping on May 16, 2010, in Buras, Louisiana. (John Moore / Getty Images)
- A subway train on the 7 line in Queens. New York City's congestion pricing program is raising millions for public transit improvements and significantly reducing traffic. (Marco Bottigelli / Getty Images)
- Farmers have experienced record losses from climate-driven extreme weather in recent years. Steve Swenka prepares to chop up corn stalks in Tiffin, Iowa, during a drought in 2023. (Stefani Reynolds / AFP via Getty Images)