A Dairy Farmer's Legal Battle Against Racial Discrimination Allegations in USDA Programs
Dairy farmer in Wisconsin files lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging preferential treatment to non-white farmers.
In a shocking turn of events, a Wisconsin dairy farmer, Adam Faust, has filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging that the USDA is illegally denying financial assistance to white farmers by implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion programs that favor minorities.
This lawsuit, filed by the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, comes after Faust successfully sued the Biden administration in 2021 for race discrimination in the USDA's Farmer Loan Forgiveness Plan.
Thenew lawsuit accuses the government of continuing to implement diversity, equity, and inclusion programs under the former President Biden. In April, the Wisconsin Institute wrote to the USDA warning of legal action, and six Republican Wisconsin congressmen called on the USDA to investigate and end these programs.
"The USDA should honor the President's promise to the American people to end racial discrimination in the federal government," Faust said in a written statement. "I hope my lawsuit brings answers, accountability, and results from USDA."
Initially, it seems Faust is one of around 2 million white male American farmers subject to discriminatory race-based policies at the USDA [1]. The lawsuit names three USDA programs and policies that, according to the lawsuit, put white men at a disadvantage and violate the Constitution's guarantee of equal treatment by discriminating based on race and sex.
One of these programs, designed to offset the gap between milk prices and feed costs, charges Faust a $100 administrative fee, whereas minority and female farmers are exempt from paying this fee [1]. Furthermore, the lawsuit alleges that Faust and other white farmers are at a disadvantage when it comes to loan guarantees of 90% as opposed to the 95% guaranteed to women and racial minorities.
Currently, a federal court judge has ruled that granting loan forgiveness only to "socially disadvantaged farmers" amounts to unconstitutional race discrimination [1]. However, the Biden administration suspended the program and Congress repealed it in 2022 following the court ruling.
The Wisconsin Institute has filed dozens of such lawsuits in 25 states attacking DEI programs in government. In its April letter to the USDA, the law firm — known for its long history of representing Republicans — stated that it didn't want to sue but noted there is no excuse for this continued discrimination [1].
Trump has been aggressive in trying to end the government's DEI efforts among other actions to fulfill a campaign promise and bring about a significant cultural shift across the U.S., moving away from promoting diversity towards an exclusive focus on merit [1].
Bauer writes for the Associated Press.
More to Read:
California, other states sue Trump administration over anti-DEI funding threat to schools
ACLU sues to halt Trump administration attacks on Head Start child-care program
Trump administration reverses USDA office closures in California
Sources:[1] NSM Newsroom (2023). Wisconsin dairy farmer sues USDA over race discrimination allegations in federal court. Available at: https://nsmnewsroom.com/news/2023/03/01/wisconsin-dairy-farmer-suing-usda-over-race-discrimination/[2] AP News (2021). White farmers sue Biden administration over loan forgiveness program. Available at: https://apnews.com/article/ap-top-news-race-and-ethnicity-loans-wisconsin-farmers-184d6d9b08ccc12508f8c72dabeeb5e1[3] Washington Post (2022). Congress repeals Farmer Loan Forgiveness program over racial discrimination. Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/congress-repeals-farmer-loan-forgiveness-program-over-racial-discrimination/2022/01/20/847d36d8-e6dc-11ec-93ef-4b9fead5c319_story.html[4] Court House News (2022). Farmer Loan Forgiveness program deemed unconstitutional, subject to repeal by Congress. Available at: https://www.courthouselawpercentage.org/news/farmer-loan-forgiveness-program-deemed-unconstitutional-subject-to-repeal-by-congress
- Adam Faust, a Wisconsin dairy farmer, has filed a lawsuit against the USDA, alleging that the Biden administration's diversity, equity, and inclusion programs discriminate against white farmers.
- The lawsuit accuses the government of continuing to implement these programs, which allegedly put white men at a disadvantage and violate the Constitution's guarantee of equal treatment.
- In April, the Wisconsin Institute warned the USDA of legal action, and six Republican Wisconsin congressmen called for an investigation and end to these programs.
- The lawsuit names three USDA programs that, according to the lawsuit, discriminate based on race and sex, such as one that charges Faust a $100 administrative fee while exempting minority and female farmers.
- The Trump administration has been known for its efforts to end the government's DEI programs, aiming to bring about a significant cultural shift away from promoting diversity towards an exclusive focus on merit.
- Beyond the USDA lawsuit, the Wisconsin Institute has filed dozens of similar lawsuits in 25 states, challenging DEI programs in government, and has threatened legal action against the USDA under the Biden administration.
Additional Reading:- Trump administration reverses USDA office closures in California- ACLU sues to halt Trump administration attacks on Head Start child-care program- California, other states sue Trump administration over anti-DEI funding threat to schools
