Filed Date: June 16, 2025
Case Ongoing
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This case challenged three funding programs operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) which allegedly gave preferential treatment to women and racial minorities. Plaintiff, a white male, double amputee, and Wisconsin dairy farmer, claimed that he was statutorily ineligible for fee waivers, better loan guarantees, and higher reimbursement rates because he was not a member of a group defined as "socially disadvantaged" by USDA. Plaintiff cited three January 2025 executive orders issued by President Trump, which purported to cease "all discriminatory or illegal preferences" used by the federal government, as requiring USDA to halt its use of the challenged preferences. Plaintiff alleged USDA's alleged preferential treatment in funding violated the Equal Protection Clause.
Represented by the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, plaintiff filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin on June 16, 2025. The lawsuit named the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture as a defendant. Plaintiff requested a declaration that the three funding programs were unconstitutional, preliminary and permanent injunctions against their use of race- or sex-based classifications, and attorneys' fees. The case was assigned to Judge Byron B. Conway.
Plaintiff, along with four other white farmers, was lead plaintiff in a 2021 case that also challenged USDA's restriction of certain Covid relief funds to "socially disadvantaged" groups. That case, Faust v. Vilsack, resulted in a preliminary injunction against USDA's restrictions; the case was ultimately mooted by the repeal of the challenged provision as part of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.
This case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Matt Petrillo (6/24/2025)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70551775/parties/faust-v-rollins/
Esenberg, Richard M (Wisconsin)
Lennington, Daniel P (Wisconsin)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70551775/faust-v-rollins/
Last updated Sept. 21, 2025, 3:17 p.m.
State / Territory: Wisconsin
Case Type(s):
Fair Housing/Lending/Insurance
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: June 16, 2025
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
A white male dairy farmer from Wisconsin.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
U.S. Department of Agriculture (- United States (national) -), Federal
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Ex Parte Young (Federal) or Bivens
Ex parte Young (federal or state officials)
Constitutional Clause(s):
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Issues
Discrimination Area:
Discrimination Basis:
Affected Race(s):
Affected Sex/Gender(s):