Washington State

Office of the Attorney General

Attorney General

Nick Brown

Washington Attorney General's Federal Litigation Tracker

An unprecedented level of harmful, unconstitutional actions are coming out of the White House with severe consequences for state government, our economy, and our residents. With the constitutional rights of our residents at stake, along with federal investments in our state totaling billions of dollars that are now at risk, the Attorney General’s Office has a central role in defending Washington state in this era.

The list below tracks federal lawsuits Attorney General Nick Brown is leading or has joined to safeguard the rights of people in our state and secure federal funding that the administration has unlawfully blocked. The cases are listed in reverse chronological order.

As of April 3, 2026, Washington has filed 58 cases against the current federal administration to protect Washingtonians. Attorney General Nick Brown is leading or co-leading 22 of those lawsuits. The total amount of funding at issue in the cases is more than $15 billion.

Cases

58. State of California, et al. v. Donald J. Trump, et al. (unlawful executive order restricting voter eligibility and mail-in voting)

On April 3, 2026, AG Brown co-led a coalition with 22 other attorneys general and one governor in suing to challenge the President’s unlawful executive order restricting voter eligibility and mail-in voting. On March 31, President Trump signed an executive order attempting to establish a national list of eligible voters and directing the U.S. Postal Service, an independent federal agency, to transmit mail ballots only to those on the list. The attorneys general argue that the order would require states to act contrary to their own voter roll procedures, vote-by-mail systems, and voter registration laws. Washington’s safe and secure vote-by-mail system was originally championed with bipartisan support and is popular with voters because of how it improves access to democracy.

57. State of Illinois, et al. v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, et al. (unlawful rollback of emissions standards for mercury and other pollutants)

On March 31, 2026, AG Brown joined a coalition with 17 other attorneys general, plus Harris County, Texas, Chicago, and New York City, in suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for unlawfully repealing nationwide standards on emissions of mercury and other toxic air pollutants. In February 2026, EPA abandoned updated standards for emissions of hazardous air pollutants from coal- and oil-fired power plants, allowing more of these dangerous emissions to be released into the air. In Washington, the U.S. Department of Energy has ordered the state's one remaining coal-fired power plant, which was scheduled for closure at the end of 2025, to remain operational, a move that Washington state is challenging in court. If the plant resumes operations as a coal plant, Washington residents are at even greater risk for exposure to mercury and other toxic air emissions resulting from the lax standards at issue in this case.

56. Commonwealth of Massachusetts, et al. v. U.S. Department of Agriculture, et al. (unlawful conditions on USDA funding)

On March 23, 2026, AG Brown joined a coalition with 20 other attorneys general in suing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for attempting to impose unconstitutional and unlawful conditions on the agency’s programs, grants, and agreements. USDA programs have wide-ranging benefits for people across Washington. For example, SNAP serves about 900,000 people per month, and WIC serves more than 212,000 participants in the state per year, most of them infants and children.

55. State of Illinois, et al. v. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, et. al (unlawful attack on states' fair housing laws)

On March 16, 2026, AG Brown joined a coalition with 15 other attorneys general challenging unlawful actions by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), including threats to withhold funding from state and local fair housing enforcement agencies for abiding by state laws. In Washington, the Human Rights Commission (HRC) is the agency responsible for investigating and enforcing housing discrimination complaints, which have totaled more than 170 annually in recent years, with about half of those complaints referred to the HRC from HUD.

54. Commonwealth of Massachusetts, et al. v. U.S. Department of Education, et al. (unlawful data demand to colleges and universities)

On March 11, 2026, AG Brown joined a coalition with 16 other attorneys general in suing the U.S. Department of Education over its demand for data on admissions and outcomes of college and university students, broken out by race and sex, arguing that the demand violates the law and puts student privacy at risk. The department recently added a component to the Integrated Postsecondary Education System (IPEDS), a collection of interrelated surveys, to track institutions’ compliance with the Supreme Court decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, which says that race cannot be used as a factor in admissions. The rushed implementation leaves institutions, including colleges and universities in Washington state, vulnerable to inadvertent errors and unreliable data that could lead to costly penalties and baseless investigations. It also jeopardizes student privacy by requesting in-depth information about students.  

53. State of Oregon, et al., v. Trump, et al. (illegal worldwide tariffs)

On March 5, 2026, AG Brown joined a coalition with 21 other attorneys general and two governors in suing to block President Trump’s latest efforts to impose illegal tariffs on American consumers and businesses. Tariffs take a particularly big toll in Washington, where 40% of jobs are tied to international trade. An analysis of the President’s previous tariffs by the Office of Financial Management estimated that the resulting disruptions would put 30,000 jobs at risk, particularly in agriculture and aircraft manufacturing, slow the state’s economic growth, and cause declines in state and local tax revenue. While the President’s new tariffs are not exactly the same, they will likely cause similar harm.

52. State of Washington v. U.S. Department of Energy, et al. (illegal order to reopen TransAlta coal power plant)

On March 3, 2026, AG Brown filed a petition asking the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to reject an illegal attempt by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to command the reopening of TransAlta’s decommissioned coal power plant in Centralia. Rather than help the state’s power grid, DOE’s move will likely drive up energy costs and expose Washington communities to more pollution. 

51. State of California, et al. v. Christopher Wright, et al. (Unlawful termination of funding for clean energy programs)

On Feb. 18, 2026, AG Brown co-led a coalition with 12 other attorneys general in suing the U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and OMB Secretary Russell Vought for unlawfully terminating funding for congressionally mandated energy programs aimed at significantly reducing emissions driving climate change. The cuts include more than $27 million for the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub, which aimed to create a clean hydrogen economy in partnership with labor, tribal nations, and public and private sectors to improve the lives and futures of people throughout the region. DOE also terminated four awards and millions of dollars for projects at Washington State University.

50. State of New York, et al. v. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, et al. (HHS Title IX grant terms)

On Jan. 13, 2026, AG Brown joined a coalition with 11 other attorneys general in suing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for unlawfully conditioning hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding on states’ agreement to discriminate against transgender people. The Washington Law Against Discrimination bars discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, which includes gender expression or identity, in places of employment, public accommodation, and real estate, credit, and insurance transactions. It also prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression in health-related services. In addition, state law prohibits discrimination in Washington state public schools on the basis of sex or gender identity.

49. State of Oregon, et al. v. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., et al. (Kennedy declaration on gender-affirming care)

On Dec. 23, 2025, AG Brown co-led a coalition with 18 other attorneys general and one governor in suing to make clear that Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) cannot threaten providers with a so-called “declaration” that baselessly and unlawfully attempts to limit access to gender-affirming care for young people. Gender-affirming care is lawful and protected in Washington. These actions threaten to exclude up to nearly 6,000 distinct providers throughout the state who offer gender-affirming care through the Apple Health program.  

48. State of California, et al. v. U.S. Department of Transportation, et al. (funding for EV charging infrastructure)

On Dec. 16, 2025, AG Brown co-led a coalition with 15 other attorneys general and one governor in suing the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) for unlawfully suspending two bipartisan grant programs for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure that would reduce pollution, expand access to clean vehicles, and create thousands of jobs. If USDOT continues its suspension of the CFI program, Washington could lose about $19 million in previously authorized funding. 

47. State of California, et al. v. Noem, et al. (unlawful H-1B visa fees)

On Dec. 12, 2025, AG Brown joined a coalition with 19 other attorneys general in suing the Trump administration over its unlawful policy imposing a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa petitions. The H-1B visa program allows employers to petition for high-skilled foreign workers to temporarily fill positions in specialty occupations, including physicians, researchers, nurses, and other vital workers, in order to alleviate nationwide labor shortages. Nearly 500 H-1B visa holders are employed across more than 30 of Washington’s state agencies, public universities, and public colleges. Previously, employers would pay between $960 to $7,595 in regulatory and statutory fees for H-1B visas and the significantly higher fee for new H-1B applications would have a major impact in Washington, particularly in higher education. 

46. State of New York, et al. v. Rollins, et al. (SNAP benefits for lawful permanent residents)

On Nov. 26, 2025, AG Brown joined a coalition with 21 other attorneys general in filing a lawsuit to stop the federal government from unlawfully cutting off Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for thousands of lawful permanent residents. Brown and the coalition are seeking to block new guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that wrongly treats several groups of legal immigrants as ineligible for food assistance, including permanent residents who were granted asylum or admitted as refugees. 

45. State of Washington, et al. v. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, et al. (Continuum of Care grant program funding)

On Nov. 25, 2025, AG Brown co-led a coalition with 18 other attorneys general and two governors in a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for illegally upending supports for tens of thousands of Americans experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness with abrupt changes to the Continuum of Care grant program that will limit access to long-term housing and other services. About $120 million in these grants comes to Washington annually, with most of it going to the five counties with the greatest need for housing services – King, Pierce, Snohomish, Spokane, and Clark counties. The remaining $25 million is distributed by the state to Washington’s other 34 counties, which are largely rural.

44. Commonwealth of Massachusetts, et al. v. U.S. Department of Education, et al. (illegal restrictions on Public Service Loan Forgiveness program)

On Nov. 3, 2025, AG Brown joined a coalition with 21 other attorneys general in a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education for unlawfully restricting eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, which allows government and nonprofit employees to apply to have their federal student loans forgiven after ten years of service. The Department of Education projects the rule will have a significant impact. Nationwide, the department estimates it will receive over $1.5 billion in additional payments over the next ten years from borrowers who would no longer qualify for PSLF. Between October 2021 and January 2025, more than 23,000 Washington borrowers had $1.62 million in federal student loans approved for discharge under the PSLF program.

43. Commonwealth of Massachusetts, et al. v. U.S. Department of Agriculture, et al. (Illegal suspension of SNAP benefits)

On Oct. 28, 2025, AG Brown joined a coalition with 22 other attorneys general and three governors in a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture for unlawfully suspending the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which helps more than 40 million Americans buy food. In Washington, the department's actions jeopardize food benefits for around 900,000 people, including about 300,000 children. 

42. State of Arizona, et al. v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, et al. (Illegal cancellation of the Solar for All program)

On Oct. 16, 2025, AG Brown co-led a coalition with 22 other plaintiffs in suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin for illegally ending a $7 billion program that lowers energy costs and pollution by bringing solar energy to more than 900,000 households in low-income and disadvantaged communities across the country. EPA’s illegal move jeopardizes $156 million for qualifying solar projects in Washington. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, alleges that EPA’s cancellation of the program was unlawful and unconstitutional. The coalition also filed a breach-of-contract lawsuit in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims listed below to enforce the defendants’ contractual obligations.

41. Maryland Clean Energy Center, et al. v. United States of America (Illegal cancellation of the Solar for All program)

On Oct. 15, 2025, AG Brown joined a coalition with 23 other grant recipients in filing a lawsuit in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims to recover damages for EPA’s unlawful breach of the grant agreements that were executed under the Solar for All program.

40. State of New York, et al. v. U.S. Department of Justice, et al. (Funding for services for crime survivors)

On Oct. 1, 2025, AG Brown joined a coalition with 19 other states and the District of Columbia in suing the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to block new restrictions on federal funding that supports survivors of domestic violence and other violent crimes. The DOJ's new restrictions jeopardized potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars that were previously authorized for legal assistance services in Washington. On Nov. 24, 2025, the plaintiffs and the defendants filed a stipulation voluntarily dismissing the case without prejudice. 

CLOSED: This case closed on Nov. 25, 2025, after the parties jointly agreed to dismiss the case. Washington and the other states succeeded in getting the U.S. Department of Justice to confirm that immigrants and noncitizens who are victims of crimes cannot be denied legal services through the grants at issue in this case.

39. State of Illinois, et al. v. Noem, et al. (Homeland Security Grant Program funding)

On Sept. 29, 2025, AG Brown joined a coalition with 10 other states and the District of Columbia in suing to stop the Trump administration from unlawfully reallocating federal homeland security funding away from states based on their compliance with the administration’s political agenda. On Sept. 27, without any notice or explanation, and four days before the end of the federal fiscal year, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency significantly cut funding to certain states that are unwilling to divert law enforcement resources away from core public safety services to assist in enforcing federal immigration law while reallocating those funds to other states. Washington state’s expected allocation abruptly saw $2 million taken away, and a reduction in the time to spend the funds from three years to one year likely makes it harder to spend much of the remaining funds.

38.  State of Washington, et al. v. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, et al. (funding for sexual health education programs)

On Sept. 26, 2025, AG Brown co-led a coalition with 15 other states and the District of Columbia in suing the Trump administration for threatening to pull funding for longstanding teen reproductive and sexual health education programs from states unless they remove language affirming young people's gender identity. Washington state receives more than $2.6 million annually through the Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) grant and uses the funding to educate teenagers on pregnancy and prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections.

37. State of New Jersey, et al. v. U.S. Department of Justice, et al. (immigration enforcement and funding to support victims of crimes)

On Aug. 18, 2025, AG Brown joined a coalition with 19 other states and the District of Columbia in suing the Trump administration for attempting to condition more than $1 billion in congressionally authorized funding for victims of crimes by coercing states to perform federal immigration enforcement functions. In Washington, the administration’s actions jeopardize more than $34 million slated for programs including emergency shelters, child advocacy groups, organizations for victims of domestic violence, and direct assistance to victims of crimes.

36. State of New York, et al. v. U.S. Department of Energy, et al. (energy grid resilience program indirect costs)

On Aug. 15, 2025, AG Brown joined a coalition with 18 other states and the District of Columbia in suing to block the U.S. Department of Energy from slashing support for state energy grid resilience and energy efficiency, as well as energy affordability. On May 8, 2025, the Department of Energy announced a new policy to cap reimbursement of indirect and employee benefit costs at 10% of a project’s total budget, regardless of previously negotiated rates. In Washington, the new federal cap could have forced the state to scale back or delay efforts such as wildfire mitigation planning with utilities and energy efficiency programs. In November 2025, the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon ruled in favor of the states and struck down the policy.

CLOSED: This case closed on April 2, 2026, after the Department of Energy rescinded its policy and agreed to dismiss its appeal of the case. 

35. State of Washington v. U.S. Department of Commerce, et al. (NOAA climate resilience funding)

On Aug. 8, 2025, AG Brown filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for illegally withholding more than $9 million in congressionally authorized funds to help Washington communities most vulnerable to the effects of climate change build resilience. One of the projects targeted was the state’s Tribal Stewards Program, aimed at establishing a network of Washington colleges, tribes, and employers to educate and employ 2,130 post-secondary students in fields related to climate resilience. The funding cuts also targeted an initiative to reduce environmental and health disparities by supporting local efforts to address coastal hazards.

CLOSED: This case closed on Jan. 21, 2026, after Washington moved to voluntarily dismiss. The state decided to reevaluate the case in light of the evolving legal landscape surrounding funding terminations. 

34.  State of California, et al. v. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, et al. (Planned Parenthood defunding)

On July 29, 2025, AG Brown joined a coalition with 20 other states, the governor of Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia in suing the Trump administration over a provision in congressional budget legislation that stripped Medicaid funding from Planned Parenthood. The coalition argued that the budget provision was unconstitutionally ambiguous and violated Congress’ Spending Clause power. The Medicaid funding cuts impacted 30 Planned Parenthood health care clinics across Washington state where nearly half of the patients use Medicaid to access needed health care services including contraception and cancer screening. The federal government’s action threatened to strip $11.8 million from programs supporting Washington state patients.

CLOSED: This case closed on March 17, 2026, after the plaintiff states filed to dismiss the case in light of the evolving legal landscape and after Planned Parenthood dismissed their own case on the issue. Although the plaintiff states successfully obtained a preliminary injunction from the district court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit granted the government’s motion to stay the preliminary injunction on Dec. 30, 2025. Planned Parenthood health care clinics have remained funded in Washington as state funds have been used to cover the lost Medicaid funding. Washington remains committed to fighting for access to essential health services and reproductive freedom. 

33. State of Washington v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, et al. (Unlawful cancellation of funds to provide emergency shelter for migrants)

On July 25, 2025, AG Brown sued the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for unlawfully cancelling more than $4 million in congressionally approved funds intended to help the state provide shelter and support to migrants as they await further action on their asylum or other immigration claims, as well as work authorization. The funds were slated to help Washington meet the basic needs of newly arrived migrants. Between 2022 and 2024, more than 45,000 noncitizen migrants settled in Washington communities, many of whom needed initial support upon their arrival.

32.  State of California, et al. v. U.S. Department of Agriculture, et al. (Data privacy for food assistance recipients)

On July 28, 2025, AG Brown joined a coalition with 20 other states and the District of Columbia in suing the U.S. Department of Agriculture over the agency’s demand that states turn over personal and sensitive information about millions of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients. SNAP data is private and legally can only be used to administer the program, not to violate beneficiaries’ privacy by using it surveil Americans. Washington state receives roughly $129.5 million a year to administer the program, and any delay in that funding could be catastrophic for the state and the residents who rely on food assistance benefits.

31. Washington State Department of Social and Health Services and State of Washington v. Fidelity Information Services LLC (Data privacy for food assistance applicants and recipients)

On July 24, 2025, AG Brown sued Fidelity Information Services (Fidelity) to block the company from disclosing the private, personal data of more than one million Washington residents who receive or applied for food assistance benefits to the federal government for its deportation efforts. Fidelity serves as the contractor for the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services to deliver benefit payments to recipients.

CLOSED: This case closed on Jan. 16, 2026, after AG Brown secured an agreement affirming that Fidelity will continue to protect the private, personal data of Washington residents who receive federal food assistance benefits, as required by its contract with the state. 

30. State of New York, et al. v U.S. Department of Justice, et al. (Restrictions on public benefits)

On July 21, 2025, AG Brown co-led a coalition with 19 other states and the District of Columbia in suing the Trump administration to stop its unlawful attempt to restrict access to critical health, education, and social service programs based on immigration status. In Washington, the new guidance threatens the operation of such vital safety net programs as community health clinics, Head Start, family planning programs, WorkSource centers offering job search assistance, and nonprofit agencies providing support to families with housing, energy assistance, nutrition, and more. On Aug. 15, the coalition filed an amended complaint, in which Delaware joined as a plaintiff.

29. State of California, et al. v. Kennedy, et al. (Access to health insurance and coverage under the Affordable Care Act)

On July 17, 2025, AG Brown joined a coalition with 20 other states in filing a lawsuit challenging an unlawful final rule promulgated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that would create significant barriers to obtaining health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act. In Washington, the final rule would lead to tens of thousands fewer people enrolling in health insurance through the Washington Health Benefit Exchange and $100 million in uninsured and largely uncompensated health care costs that would be borne by state taxpayers, providers, carriers, and employers.

28. State of Washington, et al. v. Federal Emergency Management Agency, et al. (Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program shutdown)

On July 16, 2025, AG Brown co-led a coalition with 19 other states in suing the Trump administration over its decision to illegally shut down the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s bipartisan Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program, designed to protect communities from natural disasters before they strike. The states allege the Trump administration violated core separation of powers principles and intruded on Congress’ power of the purse by shutting down the program and refusing to spend funds Congress directed toward it. In Washington, there are 27 open projects through the program that total $182 million, with nearly three quarters of that funding going to small towns and rural communities.  

27. State of California, et al. v. McMahon, et al. (Education funding freezes)

On July 14, 2025, AG Brown joined a coalition with 23 other states and the District of Columbia in suing the U.S. Department of Education and the Office of Management and Budget for the Trump administration’s illegal withholding of $7 billion in education funding already appropriated to the states by Congress. The Trump administration’s actions jeopardized $137 million supporting K-12 students in Washington and more than $13 million to support the state’s community and technical colleges. As of July 31, 2025, all impacted funds were released to the plaintiff states, including Washington. 

CLOSED: This case closed on Sept. 12, 2025, after the parties jointly moved to dismiss the case. AG Brown and the other states succeeded in requiring the U.S. Department of Education to release the full balance of education funding at the heart of the complaint. 

26. State of California, et al v. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Apple Health customers’ personal health data privacy)

On July 1, 2025, AG Brown joined a coalition with 19 other states in suing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services over its decision to provide unrestricted access to individual personal health data to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Trump administration’s actions violate the privacy of the more than 1.9 million clients of Apple Health, Washington’s Medicaid program, including about 49,000 who lawfully accessed Medicaid services but who are not eligible for full-scope Medicaid due to their immigration status.

25. State of Washington, et al. v. U.S. Department of Education, et al. (School mental health grant discontinuances)

On June 30, 2025, AG Brown led a coalition with 15 other states in filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education for illegally cutting congressionally approved mental health programs in K-12 schools. The cuts jeopardize $15 million in future grant funds for the University of Washington and three educational service districts in Washington.

24. State of California, et al v. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, et al. (Rollback of fuel economy standards)

On June 20, 2025, AG Brown joined a coalition with 17 other states, the District of Columbia, and the cities of Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York, and petitioned the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit to review the decision of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to issue a final rule entitled “Resetting the Corporate Average Fuel Economy Program.” The Trump administration’s attempt to replace the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards threaten Washington’s ability to reach its climate pollution reduction goals through improved fuel economy. These CAFE standards establish the miles traveled per gallon of fuel used, and vehicle manufacturers must use the standard to achieve an average level of fuel economy across their new vehicles manufactured in a given model year.

23. Association of American Universities, et al. v. Department of Defense and Peter Hegseth (Department of Defense cuts to indirect cost reimbursements)

On June 16, 2025, the University of Washington joined a lawsuit with other universities challenging the U.S. Department of Defense decision to cut indirect cost reimbursements for institutions of higher education. The department's actions jeopardized approximately $7 million in research funding for the University of Washington.

CLOSED: The court entered final judgment October 14, 2025, after granting the plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment and vacating the policy at issue. The court found the policy was invalid, contrary to law, and arbitrary and capricious. Defendants appealed but voluntarily withdrew their appeal.

22. State of California, et al. v. United States (Congressional Review Act resolutions for state vehicle emission waivers)

On June 12, 2025, AG Brown joined a coalition with 10 other states in suing to challenge the federal government’s unprecedented and unlawful use of the Congressional Review Act to disapprove California’s waivers for its various clean vehicle standards, which Washington has also adopted. At stake is Washington’s ability to follow California’s lead in adopting more stringent emission standards with the goal of fostering technological advancements and protecting people from harmful pollution.

21. State of New Jersey, et al. v. Bondi, et al. (Distribution of machine-gun conversion devices)

On Jun 9, 2025, AG Brown joined a coalition with 14 other states and the District of Columbia in suing the Trump administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives over its plans to distribute thousands of machine-gun conversion devices to communities across the United States. The redistribution of machine-gun conversion devices jeopardizes public safety in Washington, which had 1,053 gun-related fatalities in 2023, and violates state law already banning such instruments. After the state filed its lawsuit, ATF agreed not to distribute the devices into the plaintiff states.

20. State of New York, et al. v. National Science Foundation, et al. (Scientific research funding cuts)

On May 28, 2025, AG Brown joined a coalition with 15 other states in filing a lawsuit against the National Science Foundation, challenging the Trump administration’s attempts to slash over $1 billion in funding for critical scientific research. The states argued that National Science Foundation’s directives violate the Administrative Procedures Act and the Constitution by unlawfully changing policy and ignoring Congress’ intent for how the National Science Foundation should function. Washington institutions alone stood to lose approximately $10 million for scientific research. On August 1, 2025, Southern District New York Judge Cronan denied plaintiffs’ preliminary injunction motion, meaning the grant terminations are still in effect.

CLOSED: This case closed on Aug. 25, 2025, after the states voluntarily dismissed the case in light of the evolving legal landscape around funding terminations.

19. State of California, et al. v. U.S. Department of Transportation (Transportation funding and immigration enforcement)

On May 13, 2025, AG Brown joined a coalition with 19 other states in suing the U.S. Department of Transportation and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy for unlawfully trying to usurp Congress’ power of the purse by attaching an immigration enforcement requirement to billions of dollars in congressionally authorized transportation funding. Washington relies on more than $1 billion in grants administered by the Department of Transportation for vital projects, including for programs to prevent vehicle crashes and to support transit systems.

CLOSED: This case closed on Jan. 21, 2026, after the defendants voluntarily dismissed their appeal of the district court’s order granting summary judgment to the states. The judge found that the defendants had violated the law and ordered them to drop the immigration enforcement condition. 

18. State of Illinois, et al. v. Federal Emergency Management Agency, et al. (Disaster response and national security funding and immigration enforcement)

On May 13, 2025, AG Brown joined a coalition with 19 other states in suing the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Homeland Security, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for imposing sweeping new conditions requiring states to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement efforts to receive critical funding to protect against terrorism and respond to disasters. The Trump administration’s actions jeopardize tens of millions of dollars that Washington uses to protect against and recover from disasters such as wildfires and earthquakes, and to detect, prevent, prepare for, and respond to terrorism and other national security incidents. 

17. State of Washington, et al. v. Trump, et al. (Short-circuiting environmental reviews for energy projects)

On May 9, 2025, AG Brown co-led a coalition with 14 other states in filing a lawsuit challenging the president’s baseless executive order declaring a “national energy emergency” to bypass or shorten critical environmental reviews for energy projects focused on fossil fuels. The Trump administration’s actions harm Washington by illegally bypassing or shortening critical environmental reviews for energy projects, jeopardizing the environment and human health, including multiple projects involving pipelines in Washington’s critical salmon habitat.

16. State of Washington, et al. v. U.S. Department of Transportation, et al. (National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure funding termination)

On May 7, 2025, AG Brown co-led a coalition of 16 states and the District of Columbia in suing to stop the U.S. Department of Transportation from illegally terminating billions in congressionally approved funding for electric vehicle infrastructure. In August, two more states and two governors joined the coalition as plaintiffs in an amended complaint. In Washington, the department's actions threatened more than $71 million for building out EV infrastructure in a state where consumers have been rapidly adopting this new technology.

CLOSED: This case closed on Jan. 23, 2026, after a federal judge issued a final ruling that the U.S. Department of Transportation illegally withheld about $1 billion in funding for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program from Washington and the other plaintiffs and barred USDOT from illegally withholding funds from the plaintiffs. The judge retained jurisdiction of the case to resolve any issues related to enforcement of the judgment.

15. State of New York, et al. v. Trump, et al. (Illegal attempt to halt all federal permitting for wind energy projects)

On May 5, 2025, AG Brown joined a coalition with 16 other states and the District of Columbia in filing suit against the Trump administration over its unlawful attempt to halt all federal approvals necessary for the development of on-shore-wind energy.  The freeze jeopardizes development of clean energy projects in Washington, where wind is the second largest contributor to renewable energy generation after hydroelectric power. The potential financial impact is large – an industry group quoted in a declaration submitted to the court says renewable energy has brought Washington $36.3 million in tax revenue, $33.4 million in lease payments, and employs 28,600 people. The administration’s actions also harm Washington’s utilities and ratepayers by jeopardizing our use of the cheapest new energy source available in future integrated resource planning.

14. State of New York, et al. v. Kennedy, Jr., et al. (Dismantling of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

On May 5, 2025, AG Brown co-led a coalition with 18 other states and the District of Columbia in filing a lawsuit against Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and other Trump administration officials to ensure critical services are provided to Washington state. The administration’s illegal actions prevent congressionally-mandated services and halted funding impacting millions of Washingtonians, including but not limited to services and research from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health that keep workers safe, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) programs that keep mothers and babies healthy, and the CDC’s HIV and STD prevention labs and programs.  

13. State of Maryland, et al. v. Corporation for National and Community Service, et al. (Dismantling of AmeriCorps)

On April 29, 2025, AG Brown joined a coalition with 23 other states and the District of Columbia in filing a lawsuit challenging an illegal executive action by AmeriCorps that terminated $400 million in community grants and reduced the agency’s workforce by 85 percent. The suit also challenges the White House Office of Management and Budget’s attempt to withhold tens of millions of dollars in AmeriCorps funding for critical service programs. The executive action cancelled more than $21 million for Serve Washington, Washington’s service commission that manages grants funding AmeriCorps volunteers.

12. State of New York, et al. v. U.S. Department of Education, et al. (Public school funding threat)

On April 25, 2025, AG Brown joined a coalition with 18 other states in filing a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Education’s threat to withhold federal funding from state and local agencies that refuse to abandon lawful diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and policies promoting equal access to education. More than $1.4 billion in federal education funding for Washington was at risk.

CLOSED: This case closed on Feb. 18, 2026, after AG Brown and the 18 other attorneys general secured an agreement with the Department of Education protecting about $1.4 billion in education funding in Washington.

11. State of Rhode Island, et al. v. Trump, et al. (Small agency closures)

On April 4, 2025, AG Brown joined a coalition with 20 other states in suing the Trump administration to stop the dismantling of three federal agencies that provide services and funding supporting public libraries and museums, workers, and minority-owned businesses nationwide. The Trump administration’s actions jeopardize millions of dollars for the Washington State Library, the University of Washington, and other state institutions.

10. Commonwealth of Massachusetts, et al. v. Kennedy, Jr., et al. (National Institutes of Health cuts)

On April 4, 2025, AG Brown co-led a coalition with 15 other states in suing the Trump administration for its illegal attempt to disrupt grant funding issued by the National Institutes of Health for certain research projects the administration deems as related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, so-called “gender ideology,” and other topics disfavored by the administration. The University of Washington had millions of dollars in grants terminated, jeopardizing innovative research and forcing the university to furlough and potentially lay off research staff. Following a successful result in the district court, these grants have now been reinstated.

9. State of Washington, et al. v. Trump, et al. (Elections executive order)

On April 4, 2025, AG Brown and the attorney general of Oregon filed a lawsuit challenging Trump’s unlawful executive order attacking elections and voting rights. His order has the potential to disenfranchise tens of thousands of voters in Washington by claiming to require the rejection of any ballots received after election day.

8. State of Colorado, et al. v. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, et al. (Public health funding cuts)

On April 1, 2025, AG Brown co-led a coalition with 22 other states in filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for abruptly and illegally terminating $11 billion in critical public health grants to the states. Washington stands to lose more than $159 million from these cancellations. On May 16, a Rhode Island District Court Judge granted the plaintiff states’ motion for a preliminary injunction.

7. State of New York, et al. v. McMahon, et al. (Dismantling the Department of Education)

On March 13, 2025, AG Brown joined a coalition with 19 other states and the District of Columbia in filing a lawsuit to stop the Trump administration from dismantling the U.S. Department of Education. Washington’s state agencies rely on the department for numerous functions, including timely disbursement of hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding and accreditation of higher educational institutions, among other functions. The coalition argues the administration’s actions are unlawful in part because the Supreme Court has established that Congress has legislative power over the establishment of offices and determination of their functions and jurisdictions.

6. American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO, et al. v. U.S. Office of Personnel Management, et al. (Mass firings of probationary employees)

On March 5, 2025, AG Brown joined a lawsuit led by the American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO, against the U.S. Office of Personnel Management over the Trump administration’s damaging and illegal efforts to fire federal employees en masse. These illegal actions damage Washingtonians across a spectrum of needs – including the reliability of the state’s energy supply, wildfire and forest management, services to veterans, and supports for small businesses.

5. Commonwealth of Massachusetts, et al. v. National Institutes of Health, et al. (NIH indirect costs)

On Feb. 10, 2025, AG Brown joined a coalition with 21 other states in suing the Trump administration, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the National Institutes of Health for unilaterally cutting “indirect cost” reimbursements at universities and research institutions to 15 percent. The administration’s actions go against the direction of Congress in appropriation acts governing the National Institutes of Health. The cuts will result in the loss of more than $120 million in indirect cost funds for the University of Washington and Washington State University.

4. State of New Mexico, et al. v. Musk, et al. (Unlawful delegation of power to Elon Musk)

On Feb. 13, 2025, AG Brown joined a coalition with 13 other states in suing to challenge President Trump’s unlawful delegation of executive power to Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, violating the Appointments Clause of the U.S. Constitution by creating a new federal department without congressional approval. Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency has targeted federal agencies that provided more than $20 billion in federal grants to Washington last year alone.

CLOSED: The states’ case was closed on Dec. 17, 2025, after the states filed for voluntary dismissal following Musk’s departure from the federal government.

3. State of Washington, et al. v. Trump, et al. (Gender-affirming care)

On Feb. 7, 2025, AG Brown led a coalition with two other states and three physicians in suing to halt a presidential order that threatens to end federal funding to medical institutions providing gender-affirming care to anyone under the age of 19. The states and physicians argue that the order violates constitutional separation of powers by usurping Congress’ legislative powers and exclusive power of the purse. It illegally discriminates against transgender and gender-diverse people. The president’s unlawful executive order jeopardizes about half a billion dollars in federal research and education grants for the University of Washington School of Medicine.

2. State of New York, et al. v. Trump, et al. (U.S. Office of Management and Budget funding freeze)

On Jan. 28, 2025, AG Brown joined a coalition with 21 other states and the District of Columbia in suing the Trump administration for illegally directing the U.S. Office of Management and Budget to freeze broad swaths of congressionally authorized federal financial assistance. The funding freeze jeopardizes programs in Washington that total as much as $14 billion, including highway planning and construction funds, childcare assistance, and nursing care for veterans.

1. State of Washington, et al. v. Trump, et al. (Birthright citizenship)

On Jan. 21, 2025, AG Brown led a coalition with three other states in suing the Trump administration to challenge the president’s unconstitutional order attempting to end birthright citizenship in the United States. The president’s unlawful executive order would unilaterally strip citizenship from thousands of babies born in Washington each year, despite the Constitution’s guarantee of citizenship.

For a summary of federal litigation under prior Attorney General administrations, click here.