Monroe County Joins Nationwide Lawsuit Against Trump Administration Over DEI Grant Funding

Monroe County, New York, led by County Executive Adam Bello, is joining a national lawsuit against the Trump administration over policies that penalize local governments for having Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) departments or programs. The suit challenges the administration's threat to withhold federal grant funding, including $8 to $10 million in Federal Aviation Administration grants critical for infrastructure improvements at the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport. Bello emphasized that the county’s DEI department plays a key role in promoting fairness, supporting veterans, ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and aiding minority and women-owned businesses. He described the Trump administration’s conditions on grants as harsh, punitive, and politically motivated, arguing that these measures could lead to potential criminal penalties and harm local jobs tied to grant-funded projects. The lawsuit is bipartisan and joins other municipalities nationwide in opposing what they see as unconstitutional interference with local DEI efforts. Monroe County remains committed to maintaining DEI programs in compliance with all laws while protecting vital federal funding and local employment.