Justice Dept says USDA’s benefits for 'socially disadvantaged' farmers are illegal

The Justice Department has concluded that the Department of Agriculture’s preferences for “socially disadvantaged” farmers violate the Constitution's promise of equal protection. 

“Racial discrimination is illegal," acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said Monday in making the announcement, "and the government cannot show preference to certain groups when awarding special benefits without a compelling reason to justify the classification."

The USDA has a variety of 'conservation programs' offering assistance to American farmers and ranchers, but ‘socially disadvantaged’ farmers are often the targeted beneficiaries. 

‘Socially disadvantaged’ farmers are defined as any “whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic, or gender prejudice,” such as women and African American, Hispanic, and Asian people. 

Farmers and ranchers may access technical assistance from USDA, including “conservation planning, technical consultation, and assistance with design and implementation of conservation practices” in exchange for a fee. USDA, however, requested this fee to be waived exclusively for ‘socially disadvantaged’ farmers.

USDA programs offer numerous financial grants to farmers, which also give preference to groups based on race and sex.

One grant offered under USDA's Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Program awards grants to “encourage and assist socially disadvantaged individuals in owning and operating farms.”

Billions of dollars distributed in fiscal 2025 illegally favored non-Caucasians, the DOJ found.  

Of 36 programs reviewed, the DOJ declared that most were unlawful, and that the USDA must provide assistance via "constitutionally permissible means." Five programs, which can be “administered in a race- and sex-neutral manner,” will be retained. 

"All persons served by this Department will, without question, be treated equally,” Argriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said.

The Trump administration has spearheaded a DEI crackdown across federal agencies and education.