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Trump’s New Conditions on DEI, Immigration Could Cut Off Washington's Wildfire Funding

New USDA grant conditions requiring compliance with President Donald Trump's executive orders are stalling wildfire mitigation and forestry projects on federal lands as states refuse to sign the controversial terms.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins issued the new requirements on Dec. 31, demanding partners pledge compliance with Trump's orders on immigration and DEI, which state officials argue are vague and unlawful.
A coalition of 20 states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit in March challenging the restrictions, while Michigan Department of Natural Resources reports more than $87 million in active grants face disruption.
Washington State Forester George Geissler said the state is at an "impasse," warning that without new agreements, vital wildfire work could stall within six to eight months as bureaucratic hurdles mount.
Critics warn the policy creates a "bifurcation" where red states receive grants while blue states are excluded, threatening the Forest Service's reliance on state partnerships to execute critical land management.

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Trump’s new conditions on DEI, immigration could cut off Washington's wildfire funding

A new effort to force states to affirm the Trump administration’s views on DEI, transgender athletes and immigration when signing contracts with the U.S. Forest Service is threatening millions of dollars in wildfire grant funding and fire reduction projects on…

5 days ago

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