Federal Court Vacates HHS and HUD Grant Conditions Targeting DEI Initiatives
On August 14, 2026, a U.S. District Court judge for the District of Rhode Island vacated new grant conditions imposed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These conditions required nonprofit organizations serving unhoused individuals and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault to certify compliance with executive orders from the Trump administration that targeted diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and gender ideology. Specifically, the conditions mandated certification of adherence to Executive Order (EO) 14168, 'Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government,' and prohibited the use of federal funds to promote 'gender ideology.' The court ruled that these government-imposed grant conditions were arbitrary and capricious, violating the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). The judge found that the agencies failed to provide a reasoned explanation for the ... 
