Overview

• Judge William E. Smith ruled that the Office on Violence Against Women’s May grant conditions were likely “arbitrary, capricious and an abuse of discretion” under the Administrative Procedure Act
• The blocked provisions would have barred recipients from supporting diversity, equity and inclusion programs, transgender rights, immigration assistance and framing violence as systemic issues
• Seventeen state coalitions led by the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence sued in June, arguing the DOJ overstepped its statutory authority under the Violence Against Women Act
• The preliminary injunction prevents the Justice Department from enforcing the contested conditions while the lawsuit proceeds, preserving vital federal funding for local service providers
• Service organizations had warned that the restrictions would force them to guess which activities were banned and risk prosecution under the False Claims Act