Governor Hochul Announces $21.6 Million Awarded to More Than 100 Farms to Support New York’s Dairy Industry

Part of Governor Hochul’s 2024 State of the State, the Dairy Modernization Grant Program Will Help Farmers and Dairy Cooperatives Install New Technologies To Improve Operations and Ensure a More Efficient Dairy Supply Chain

Builds on the State’s Continued Efforts To Advance New York State as a National Leader in the Dairy Industry

Celebrates June as Dairy Month in New York State

Governor Kathy Hochul announced nearly $21.6 million has been awarded to 103 farms across the state through the Dairy Modernization Grant Program to support New York’s dairy industry. The funding, first announced in the Governor’s 2024 State of the State address, will help New York’s dairy farmers and dairy cooperatives invest in new equipment, expand storage capacity, and strengthen their operations, particularly as they face extreme weather events, providing a critical boost to New York’s dairy industry. The announcement comes as the State officially kicks off the celebration of Dairy Month this June.

“New York's dairy industry is the backbone of our agricultural economy, supporting thousands of jobs across our rural communities,” Governor Hochul said. “With this $26 million investment through the Dairy Modernization Grant Program, we're giving hardworking dairy farmers and cooperatives the tools they need to grow, innovate and lead in a changing market. This is how we honor our agricultural legacy — by making sure it has a strong and sustainable future.”

The awards were announced this morning at a special event at Glory Days Farm, a 120-cow dairy farm in Lowville, Lewis County. New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball was joined by partners from the Farm and Food Growth Fund (FFGF), who administer this grant program on behalf of the Department, in addition to other North Country dairy farm awardees, Lowville Producers Dairy Cooperative Inc., New York Farm Bureau, Cornell Cooperative Extension, the Lewis County Soil and Water Conservation District, and elected officials to celebrate these awardees.

As part of the program, Glory Days Farm, a New York State Grown & Certified participant, will now be able to install new equipment needed on the farm, including a 3,000-gallon bulk tank, washer, two new compressors, and a permanent generator to maintain power supply in the event of extreme weather. The project will improve storage capacity, which will prevent dumped milk and provide a cost savings to Glory Days Farm by allowing them to move to every-other-day milk pickup and reducing stop and hauling costs. New cooling technology will help the farm save energy and ensure milk quality, while the on-demand generator will allow for milk transfer in the event of disruptions.

A regional breakdown of the awards made across the State is listed below. A complete list of projects awarded for a total of $21.57 million can be found here.

• Capital Region: nine farms were awarded a total of nearly $1.8 million.
• Central New York: 18 farms were awarded a total of more than $3.9 million.
• Finger Lakes: 20 farms were awarded a total of more than $4.3 million.
• Mid-Hudson: One farm was awarded more than $147,000.
• Mohawk Valley: 11 farms were awarded a total of more than $2.1 million.
• North Country: 15 farms were awarded a total of more than $3.3 million.
• Southern Tier: 13 farms were awarded a total of nearly $2.6 million.
• Western New York: 13 farms were awarded a total of more than $2.7 million.

The Dairy Modernization Grant program awarded eligible applicants for projects to expand on-farm milk storage capacity, improve the transportation and storage of milk, and strengthen the dairy industry. The program supports the needs of dairy farmers by facilitating the installation of critical technological and infrastructural improvements that will improve dairy supply chain efficiency and avoid the need for raw milk dumping during emergency events.

Funding for the Dairy Modernization Grant Program is a part of Governor Hochul’s 2024 State of the State and her overarching commitment to the dairy industry, including additional funds dedicated in the FY26 Enacted Budget to support a $10 million second round of the program, and further funding dedicated to research and to implement climate-resilient practices on dairy farms.

This investment builds on the commitment that Governor Hochul has made to support sustainability in the agricultural industry, including for dairy farms. Under the Governor's leadership, the FY26 Enacted Budget provides an additional $5.25 million from the Environmental Protection Fund over the previous year for agricultural programs and initiatives that also benefit New York dairy farms, such as the Climate Resilient Farming grant program and the Agricultural Non-Point Source Abatement and Control program, that are helping farms to implement environmentally sustainable practices and combat climate change. Additional allocations for the Farmland Protection Program and the State’s Soil and Water Conservation Districts will also support the New York dairy community.

Since taking office, Governor Hochul has made significant strides in expanding the dairy manufacturing sector in New York. In the last few years, New York has celebrated investments across the state, including a $650 million fairlife production plant in Webster, the $518 million Great Lakes Cheese packaging and manufacturing facilities in Franklinville, and a $30 million expansion to the Agri-Mark cheese manufacturing facility in Chateaugay, helping New York continue to be the leading producer of milk in the Northeast. Most recently, the Governor announced Chobani, which opened its first U.S. plant in 2005 in New York, will build a 1.4 million square foot, $1.2 billion facility in Rome, Oneida County, capable of producing over one-billion pounds of high-quality dairy products per year. There are currently nearly 300 world-recognized dairy processing plants across New York.

 About the Dairy Industry in New York State

New York State has roughly 3,000 dairy farms that produce over 16 billion pounds of milk annually, making New York the nation’s fifth-largest dairy state. The dairy industry is the state’s largest agricultural sector, contributing significantly to the state’s economy by generating nearly half of the state’s total agricultural receipts and providing some of the highest economic multipliers. New York's unique and talented dairy producers and processors contribute significantly to the state’s agriculture industry, economy and the health of our communities.

Romanian Citizen Pleads Guilty to ‘Swatting’ Numerous Members of Congress, Churches, and Former U.S. President

 

Leader of Online Swatting Ring Admits to Targeting over 75 Public Officials, Four Religious Institutions, and Multiple Journalists in Nationwide Bomb Threat Spree

Thomasz Szabo, also known as Plank, Jonah, and Cypher, 26, of Romania, pleaded guilty to being the leader of a years-long conspiracy that targeted victims across the United States with “swatting” and bomb threats. Szabo and his co-conspirators falsely reported ongoing violent emergencies at government buildings, houses of worship, and private residences, including the homes of senior government officials.

“This defendant led a dangerous swatting criminal conspiracy, deliberately threatening dozens of government officials with violent hoaxes and targeting our nation’s security infrastructure from behind a screen overseas,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “This case reflects our continued focus on protecting the American people and working with international partners to stop these threats at their source.”

“Szabo pleaded guilty to a years-long conspiracy that targeted victims with swatting and bomb threats, including to government buildings, houses of worship and homes of government officials,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Swatting endangers lives and will not be tolerated by the FBI. We are fully committed to working with our partners to bring to justice those criminals hiding behind keyboards and threatening violence.”

“This defendant’s targeted and ruthless behavior put countless people in danger, including law enforcement, public officials, and ordinary citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro for the District of Columbia. “Swatting attacks, that is, falsely reporting an ongoing threat of violence at a victims’ home address for the purpose of provoking a police response there, drain precious resources and can result in major injury or even death. Anyone who hijacks police resources for senseless crimes like these will have to answer for their actions.”  

According to court documents, Szabo was the founder and leader of an online community that, starting in late 2020, engaged in a pattern of bomb threats and “swatting” — that is, falsely reporting an ongoing threat of violence at a victims’ home address for the purpose of provoking a police response there.

As leader of the group, Szabo made false reports to U.S. law enforcement including a threat in December 2020 to commit a mass-shooting at New York City synagogues, and a threat in January 2021 to detonate explosives at the U.S. Capitol and kill the President-elect. Szabo publicized his “swatting” activity to his followers and encouraged them to engage in similar behavior.

Beginning on Dec. 24, 2023, and continuing through early January 2024, subordinate members of Szabo’s group perpetrated a spree of swatting and bomb threats that included, as its victims, at least 25 Members of Congress or family members of Members of Congress; at least six then-current or former senior U.S. Executive Branch officials, including multiple cabinet-level officials; at least 13 then-current or former senior federal law enforcement officials, including the heads of multiple federal law enforcement agencies; multiple members of the federal judiciary; at least 27 then-current or former state government officials or family members of such officials; at least four religious institutions; and multiple members of the media.

During that time period, one of those subordinates bragged to Szabo: “I did 25+ swattings today,” and “creating massive havoc in [A]merica. $500,000+ in taxpayers wasted in just two days.”

Szabo pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, and one count of threats involving explosives, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 23. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Szabo was extradited from Romania in November 2024.

The U.S. Secret Service Washington Field Office and Criminal Investigative Division, the FBI’s Washington and Minneapolis Field Offices, and the U.S. Capitol Police are investigating the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance in securing Szabo’s arrest and extradition and assisted with securing evidence from abroad, including through mutual legal assistance requests. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Secret Service’s Bucharest Resident Office, Miami Field Office, Syracuse Resident Office, Springfield Resident Office; the FBI’s Legat Office in Bucharest; and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Western District of Washington, the District of South Dakota, the Middle District of Florida, the Southern District of Florida, the Southern District of Illinois, and the Northern District of New York. The Romanian authorities’ assistance was critical to the successful investigation of the case and extradition of Szabo.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia is prosecuting the case, with valuable assistance provided by the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.

New York State Parks Celebrates Pride Outside for June

 

Flag raising and full schedule of events for Pride Month

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) is celebrating Pride month in a variety of ways – from flag raisings to events across the state. This follows the OPRHP mission statement – to provide safe and enjoyable recreational and interpretive opportunities for all New York State residents and visitors. OPRHP is committed to welcoming visitors to take part in the valuable natural, historic and cultural resources offered.

Every June, the Pride flag flies over parks and sites as a gesture of hope and reinforcing our message of “All Are Welcome.” Additionally, OPRHP offers Pride Month programming, including popular Rainbow Lantern Walks, throughout the month of June. Click here for an updated events list.

“We raise the Pride flag each June as a visible reminder of our unwavering commitment to inclusion and equality,” said Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons. “Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, we proudly uphold the message that All Are Welcome in our parks and historic sites throughout the state. Pride Month is an opportunity to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and reaffirm our promise to treat every visitor and guest with dignity, respect, and belonging.”

Below is a list of programs and events scheduled for Pride Month. Registration is required for some events. Call the park directly to register. For contact information, visit https://parks.ny.gov/parks/

Scheduled Pride Events

June 5: Pride Outside: Picnic & Guided Hike, Clay Pit Ponds Interpretive Center, NYC. Cold picnics only, grills not permitted in the park. All ages. 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. An optional 2.5 mile "Rainbow Loop" hike beginning at 6:30 p.m. Registration required.

June 7: Pride Walk: Nature is a Rainbow, Humphrey Nature Center, Letchworth State Park, 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

June 8: OPRHP walking in the Albany Capital Pride parade, Washington Park, Albany. 11:30 a.m.

June 13: Pride Month Art: Keith Haring, Connetquot River State Park Preserve. Learn about the life and style of the influential modern painter; learn to paint your own work of art in their style, 6:45 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Registration required.

June 13: Rainbow Lantern Walk, Sunken Meadow State Park (Governor Alfred E. Smith). One of our popular evening lantern walks with a Pride Month twist! 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Registration required.

June 13: Let’s Go Birding Together Walk, Green Lakes State Park. Inclusive and welcoming birding experiences for the LGBTQ+ community, allies, and families. Connecting with nature, birds, and others in a positive way. 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

June 14: 4^th Annual Planting Fields Pride, “Love Blooms Here,” Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park, Long Island, 5 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

June 19: Pride Storytime, Marsha P. Johnson State Park (East River State Park), NYC. In collaboration with Drag Story Hour, come out for a special story time and craft for LGBTQ+ Pride Month. All ages. 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Registration required.

June 20: Rainbow Lantern Walk, Connetquot River State Park Preserve. Join us for one of our popular evening lantern walks with a Pride Month twist! 7:15 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Registration required.

June 21: “We’ll be Free": Molly Houses, Community, & Homosexuality in the 18th c. English Colonial World, Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site. Join us for a talk by Dr. Megan Rhodes Victor of Queens College on Colonial Molly Houses. The talk is free and open to the public. 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

June 22: Pride in the Park, Hempstead Lake State Park. Celebrate Pride at the park with a story time and hands-on activity. 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Registration required.

June 24: Pride Walk at the Falls, Niagara Falls State Park. Join an educator on a walk to Luna Island on the 14th anniversary of the Marriage Equality Act passed in New York State! 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Registration required.

June 25: Civil Service Pride event, New York State Museum, Albany

June 27: Rainbow Lantern Walk, Heckscher State Park. A popular evening lantern walk with a Pride Month twist! 7:15 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Registration required.

June 28: Pride Bird Walk & History Stroll, Marsha P. Johnson State Park (East River State Park). In collaboration with NYC Queer Birders, spot birds in the park and then learn about LGBTQ+ history in NYC and beyond. For teens and adults. 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Registration required.

June 28: Pride Paddle, Grafton Lakes State Park. A calming paddle around Long Pond to celebrate Pride. This guided tour will include topics about LGBT+ history and our local ecosystem. 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Registration required. Limited spots available. Cost is $10/person which includes the kayak rental.

June 28: Fifth Annual Cazenovia Pride Festival, Lorenzo State Historic Site. Celebrate each person's uniqueness and come together to Love Out Loud! Food trucks, vendors, entertainment, and fun for everyone! 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. For more information visit cazpride.org. Event admission is free.

June 28: Rainbow Lantern Walk, Caleb Smith State Park Preserve. One of our popular evening lantern walks with a Pride Month twist! 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Registration required.

Visit our Events page for the most up-to-date list.

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, and welcomes over 88 million visitors annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app or call 518.474.0456. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, the OPRHP Blog or via the OPRHP Newsroom.

GrowNYC - 💚 Honoring Green Spaces in NYC

 

Hey Friend, dropping in to share some GrowNYC updates with you.

Let’s dive in!

 Honoring Gerard Lordahl's green legacy

We were thrilled to honor Gerard Lordahl, former GrowNYC Green Space Director, with the Marian Sulzberger Heiskell Award, which recognizes outstanding individual leadership and unwavering dedication to the City of New York and GrowNYC's mission.

Gerard dedicated nearly 40 years to GrowNYC, transforming vacant lots into thriving community green spaces. Under his leadership, GrowNYC added over a million square feet of green space to the city!

Today, GrowNYC has built over 170 gardens across the 5 boroughs and has restored hundreds more. Watch a video spotlighting Gerard’s work!

OR use this link: https://youtu.be/IgXjLxZjFQ0?feature=shared

We also thank Bloomberg who received our inaugural For the Love of New York Award for outstanding corporate commitment to New York City and the mission of GrowNYC. 

In case you missed it… It’s Greenmarket Season! 

What's new: Seasonal Greenmarkets are back!

• Markets are beginning to open across the city, bringing more fresh, local produce to your neighborhood.

• Even more are set to open in the coming weeks—check out the full schedule to find one near you.

See you at the market!

Stand with GrowNYC 

GrowNYC is facing a $2.3 million funding shortfall due to sweeping federal policy changes, frozen and cancelled grants, and anticipated budget cuts at both the state and city levels.

This crisis threatens our ability to maintain a vital food distribution infrastructure. Up to one-third of our Greenmarkets and Farmstands may be forced to close, and our free food distribution programs limited, severely hurting local farmers and the communities who rely on us.

We’ve launched the GrowNYC Emergency Fund to fight back and protect the work we do! Learn more and donate at www.grownyc.org/emergencyfund.

161st Street BID - 🌳 Rev. T. Wendell Foster Clean-up Saturday June 7th

Meet us at E 165th Street and River Avenue at 11:45AM! 

Join us this Saturday and help us give Rev. T. Wendell Foster Park a fresh start for summer! This will be our final spring cleanup, and we’d love your help making it count. We look forward to seeing you. Please feel free to email us if you have any questions! Michael Darryl Torres mtorres@161bid.org  161st Street Business Improvement District RSVP Here

MAYOR ADAMS, OLR COMMISSIONER CAMPION CONTINUE NEGOTIATIONS FOR NEW CITY EMPLOYEE HEALTH PLAN THAT WOULD PROVIDE EXPANDED NETWORK OF DOCTORS, MAINTAIN PREMIUM-FREE COVERAGE

 

Proposed Plan Would Include Broader Network of Doctors and Behavioral Health Specialists, More Coverage for Retirees Living Outside of New York Area, and Continued High-Quality, Premium-Free Coverage for City Employees 

Active Employees and Pre-Medicare Retirees Would Have Expanded Network While Potentially Saving New York City Taxpayers $1 Billion Per Year

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Office of Labor Relations (OLR) Commissioner Renee Campion today announced the selection of a joint proposal from EmblemHealth and United Healthcare to enter into negotiations for a new health plan for active city employees, pre-Medicare retirees, and their dependents that would continue to provide high-quality, premium-free coverage along with an expanded network of doctors and mental health specialists across the nation. The selection is the product of a years-long procurement process — the first in over four decades — conducted in collaboration with the Municipal Labor Committee (MLC) and would support 75 percent of the city’s workforce and their families, ensuring 750,000 employees, pre-Medicare retirees, and their dependents have the most high-quality, affordable, health care options available. 

The city, together with the MLC, will now move to the next phase of the process to negotiate a contract with Emblem and United.

“Being an affordable and safe city means making sure that we are an excellent employer to the over 300,000 employees who serve their fellow New Yorkers, and that we support our employees’ families, and our retirees,” said Mayor Adams. “One of the most attractive benefits of city service is our outstanding health care, and today, we are announcing the next step to secure an even better deal for those who rely on city health insurance. For the first time in over four decades, we are seeking an upgraded city employee health plan that will maintain high-quality care and premium-free coverage, while expanding access to more specialists, especially mental health professionals, and increasing access to more out-of-state doctors for retirees — all while saving taxpayers an estimated $1 billion per year. I thank the MLC and our labor unions for working with us on this process. Together, we will continue to ensure that New York is a more affordable city and the best place to raise a family, including for those who deliver for nearly 8.5 million New Yorkers every day.”

“I am excited to announce this next step towards a new city employee health plan, which will leverage the city’s purchasing power to provide more doctors, more mental health providers, and a broad national network to 750,000 employees, pre-Medicare retirees, and dependents while saving $1 billion per year,” said OLR Commissioner Campion. “Thank you to MLC Executive Board members Harry Nespoli, Henry Garrido, Michael Mulgrew, Gregory Floyd, and Gloria Middleton, as well as the rest of the MLC, in collaborating with us to achieve this important step. We look forward to negotiations with EmblemHealth and United Healthcare to secure a contract that delivers for city employees and taxpayers.”

Under Emblem and United’s proposal, city employees, dependents, and pre-Medicare retirees in the New York City area will have access to more primary care doctors, more specialists, more nurse practitioners and physician assistants, and more mental health providers. Additionally, over 80,000 covered members living outside the New York area — for the first time — will have access to a broad national network, especially benefitting pre-Medicare retirees who have moved out of the region and are often forced to go out of network for coverage or pay a premium for a plan that provides coverage where they live. Overall, over 200,000 covered members have used doctors who are currently out of network and will be in network under the proposed plan.

Emblem and United’s proposed plan leverages the 750,000 covered lives under this plan to save the city a projected $1 billion per year, stabilizing health care costs that have sharply increased in recent years.

The proposal would — also for the first-time ever — give New York City a self-funded insurance plan, the standard for all large employers, including the New York State Health Insurance Plan covering state employees, greatly reducing the costs of providing the plan with no effect on the quality of coverage.

“We are pleased that after years of intense effort the parties, working together, are moving in the right direction to secure an improved, quality health care program for our hard-working members all the while preserving its premium-free structure,” said Harry Nespoli, chair, MLC. “We look forward to the next step: negotiating a comprehensive agreement that will be brought to the MLC for ratification.”

“We’ve navigated a challenging road to get to this point, but the result is the tentative selection of a new health plan provider that will allow us to increase the quality of benefits for our members and rein in predatory costs,” said Henry Garrido, executive director, District Council 37. “This will all be done while preserving premium-free health care, which is vital for recruitment and retention of our city workforce. Through this process, we are expanding the network of providers, improving access in every borough, and improving mental health benefits. It’s a win-win-win for our members.”

The award of the contract is subject to successful negotiation, finalization, and approval of a contract with the city and the MLC and is subject to all necessary approvals. The city and the MLC will together be negotiating with Emblem and United to agree upon a contract and will work with them to provide employees with all essential information regarding the new plan once the contract is negotiated. Employees will continue to have the choice of enrolling in other plans offered by the city, including the HIP-HMO and MetroPlus plans, which have no employee premiums.

Today’s news builds on the city and MLC’s collaboration over the past decade to continue to provide high-quality, premium-free coverage to city employees, retirees, and dependents, while simultaneously reining in health care costs. These efforts have allowed city employees to continue to receive their health insurance at no premium cost to them, a benefit few other employers offer.  

Attorney General James Takes Action Against Discriminatory Ban on Transgender Military Service

 

Multistate Coalition Urges Court to Uphold Block on Unconstitutional Executive Order That Threatens National Guard Readiness

New York Attorney General Letitia James joined a coalition of 20 other attorneys general in urging the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to uphold a block on the Trump administration’s ban on transgender people serving in the military. In an amicus brief filed in Shilling v. Trump, Attorney General James and the coalition argue that the president’s February 10 executive order, which purported to prohibit transgender individuals from military service, is unconstitutional, jeopardizes national security, and threatens the strength of the nation’s military. The attorneys general emphasize that the ban would reverse nearly a decade of progress and urge the court to uphold a preliminary injunction issued by a lower court.

“Transgender service members proudly uphold the values of our nation with honor, courage, and sacrifice,” said Attorney General James. “In New York and nationwide, the National Guard depends on every qualified individual willing to serve, especially as our communities face escalating climate disasters and other threats. My office will not allow the federal government to attack our residents and weaken our military.”

On January 27, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order titled “Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness,” directing the Secretary of Defense to implement sweeping restrictions on transgender people in the Armed Forces. On February 27, Attorney General James and a coalition of 20 other attorneys general filed an amicus brief in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, supporting a group of current and prospective service members’ challenge to the order and urging the court to grant their request for a preliminary injunction blocking implementation of the order. On March 27, the preliminary injunction was granted, a decision that the administration is appealing to the Ninth Circuit.

In the brief, Attorney General James and the coalition explain that transgender individuals have long served in the active-duty military and National Guard with no negative impact on readiness or effectiveness. The attorneys general emphasize that their states rely heavily on the National Guard for emergency response, public safety, and cybersecurity, and argue these missions would be jeopardized if qualified personnel were excluded based on their gender identity.

The attorneys general argue that the president’s executive order conflicts with states’ experience and state-level civil rights laws, including New York’s, which protect transgender residents from discrimination in employment, education, and other public programs. They assert the order also threatens students enrolled in Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) programs and maritime academies who face the loss of scholarships, commissions, and career paths solely because of their gender identity.

Attorney General James and the coalition highlight the devastating impact this discriminatory policy would have on transgender veterans, current service members, and those preparing to serve. They assert that many transgender service members previously disclosed their identities in reliance on past policies that allowed open service. The federal government’s recent about-face is a betrayal of those service members and could threaten morale, trust, and cohesion in military units. The attorneys general assert that forcing individuals to hide their identity under threat of discharge has well-documented negative effects on mental health and military performance. They argue the harms will likely extend beyond the military, sending a message of exclusion that will be felt across the nation.

The amicus brief is the third that Attorney General James has filed opposing the transgender military ban. In addition to the previous Shilling v. Trump brief, on February 14, Attorney General James and 16 other attorneys general filed a brief in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia supporting the plaintiffs’ request for a preliminary injunction in Talbot v. Trump.

Attorney General James and the coalition are asking the Ninth Circuit to affirm the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington’s ruling and block the executive order from taking effect.

Joining Attorney General James in filing this brief are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.