Domestic violence nonprofits are winning against the Trump administration in court

October 24, 2025

Nonprofits combating domestic violence and sexual assault have secured several legal victories against Trump administration restrictions on federal funding. Through multiple lawsuits, these organizations have successfully blocked new rules that would limit grants for groups working with LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants without legal status, and those supporting diversity initiatives or "gender ideology. " Federal judges have issued preliminary injunctions preventing the enforcement of these restrictions on grants from the Justice Department, Health and Human Services, and Housing and Urban Development, finding that the administration's rules would force organizations to choose between abandoning core services or losing essential funding.

Who is affected

Victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, particularly women
LGBTQ+ victims, including transgender individuals who experience higher rates of intimate partner violence
Immigrant victims without permanent legal status
State-level coalitions and nonprofits providing services to victims
Organizations like FORGE that rely heavily on federal funding (90% of its budget)
Vulnerable populations served by these organizations

What action is being taken

Nonprofits are actively filing lawsuits against the Trump administration's funding restrictions
Federal judges are issuing preliminary injunctions blocking the enforcement of new funding restrictions
Democratic attorneys general are challenging new Justice Department rules affecting immigrant victims
Advocacy groups like Lambda Legal are leading legal challenges against restrictions targeting LGBTQ+ services
Courts are reinstating canceled grants and voiding instructions that hindered funding applications

Why it matters

The funding is described as "essential to providing life-saving services to vulnerable victims"
Restrictions would force organizations to choose between accepting harmful conditions or losing vital funding
Organizations would be limited in their ability to serve transgender victims and provide comprehensive services
LGBTQ+ Americans (except gay men) experience higher rates of domestic violence than cisgender and heterosexual people
The restrictions could prevent organizations from supporting victims who don't have legal immigration status
These limitations could violate provisions of the Violence Against Women Act that specify services should not depend on immigration status

What's next

Litigation in both major cases will likely stretch into 2026
The Justice Department's new rule restricting legal services for immigrant victims is expected to take effect in November
The Trump administration has appealed one favorable ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit
Organizations acknowledge that the injunctions are temporary and more work remains to secure permanent solutions

Read full article from source: The 19th