Climate advocates, along with farmers, have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration in federal court, claiming that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) unlawfully removed climate-related resources from its digital platforms. The complaint, submitted in the Southern District of New York, represents a coalition including Earthjustice, the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, and organizations such as the Environmental Working Group (EWG), the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY).

Background of the Case

This lawsuit is a response to a systematic effort by the Trump administration to eliminate information that does not conform to the current administration’s agenda regarding climate change and its impacts. As highlighted by the complainants, the USDA’s actions harmed not only researchers and advocates but also the farmers directly engaged in agriculture.

“USDA’s irrational climate change purge doesn’t just hurt farmers, researchers, and advocates. It also violates federal law several times over,” said Jeffrey Stein, an associate attorney at Earthjustice.

Claims Against USDA’s Actions

The lawsuit alleges violations of several statutes, including the Administrative Procedure Act, Freedom of Information Act, and Paperwork Reduction Act. Evidence submitted in the case reveals that on January 30, USDA’s Director of Digital Communications, Peter Rhee, instructed staff to remove any climate change-related content from their websites by the following Friday.

Following this directive, numerous resources pertaining to climate-smart agriculture and environmental conservation were reportedly deleted from the USDA’s website, thus cutting off access to essential datasets and information necessary for farmers and stakeholders in rural America.

Implications for Farmers and Food Security

Anne Schechinger, EWG’s Midwest director, emphasized the critical nature of these resources. She stated that the administration’s actions significantly undermine farmers’ abilities to tackle challenges posed by extreme weather events, including droughts and floods.

“By wiping critical climate resources from the USDA’s website, the Trump administration has deliberately stripped farmers and ranchers of the vital tools they need to confront the escalating extreme weather threats,” said Schechinger.

Furthermore, Wes Gillingham, president of NOFA-NY, highlighted the real-world impacts of climate change on agriculture, asserting the need for comprehensive scientific support to adapt to these changes.

A Call for Restoration and Accountability

The coalition is seeking a court ruling to designate the USDA’s purge as unlawful, demanding the restoration of the deleted resources and compliance with legal obligations to inform the public regarding policy changes.

“USDA’s policies influence everything from the shape of our economy to the food we eat,” said Stephanie Krent, a staff attorney at the Knight First Amendment Institute.

As reported, the USDA has deferred inquiries about the lawsuit to the Justice Department, which has yet to respond to requests for further comments.