Civil Rights Hub: Impact at 6 months

By Jon Miller, Chief Program Officer, Public Rights Project

In the weeks leading up to Inauguration Day, many of our local government partners expressed immense concern about the looming threats under the second Trump administration. There were worries about cuts to federal funding for crucial services delivered to residents, politically motivated retaliation against leaders, and attacks on local policies designed to protect marginalized residents. 

The fear and uncertainty among seasoned local government leaders was unlike anything I’d seen before. With fewer checks and balances than before, the incoming administration was poised to undermine local authority in ways that had no modern precedent. At that moment, I was concerned that few local leaders would be willing to push back.

We created the Civil Rights Hub: to equip local governments with the tools, support, and legal resources they need to fight for their communities and deliver in ways that people can see and experience. We knew that the stakes were too high to let fear win out. 

The first six months have been a slog, but what gives me hope is the courage and resolve of local government officials at this moment. I’ve been encouraged by how many local leaders are ready to act fast, refusing to be intimidated. They’re standing up and we’re supporting them.

Here’s a look at what we’ve accomplished together so far.

Impact through litigation
Since taking office, Trump has issued a flurry of executive orders aimed at consolidating power and punishing those who disagree with him. For many cities and counties, the message has been clear: fall in line or lose essential resources that your communities rely on.

With dozens of cities and counties, the hub has filed six major lawsuits challenging the administration’s unlawful attempts to freeze or end federal funding across several government agencies. These cuts jeopardize public transportation projects, affordable housing programs, and vaccination services, among other key resources. 

Our litigation strategy is focused on coalition building — not only to show the courts that the administration’s actions create widespread harm, but to support government offices that lack the resources to pursue litigation on their own.

Columbus Solicitor General Richard Coglianese recently shared that his office’s partnership with PRP has allowed the city to scale its resources with other municipal governments across the country — and ultimately stand up for its residents.

The city joined one of our lawsuits after the Trump administration placed conditions on the city’s federal funding. Thanks to that litigation and support of the hub, Columbus secured an early win.

“Because of the close collaboration between the city of Columbus and PRP, we have been able to enjoy the benefits of court orders that mandated the federal government restore our access to federal highway funding and allowed us to continue programs that have tried to improve infant mortality rates in the most underserved portions of our city,” Coglianese said.

Here’s a snapshot of the hub’s broader impact to date.

• A robust network of local government officials: 250+ partners across 101 jurisdictions
  These local governments represent millions of people across the country. When dozens of jurisdictions join a lawsuit together, it sends an important message to the courts: the harm to communities is widespread and urgent. For example, in King County v. Turner, what began with just eight plaintiffs has now expanded to include 60 local governments.
• 182 policies defended
  In King County v. Turner, we are challenging the administration’s attempts to override local policies on immigration enforcement; diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives; gender identity protections; and abortion access. In San Francisco v. Trump, we’re defending sanctuary city policies for over 50 local governments.
• Work to restore and protect more than $15 billion in federal funding
  The Trump administration is threatening to withhold critical funding — already approved by Congress — unless local governments agree to harmful conditions that align with his political agenda. Our lawsuits are challenging these actions so communities aren’t left with an impossible choice.

Beyond litigation: Creating space for local governments
As the hub has taken shape, one thing has become clear: the value of our work goes beyond legal wins. It’s also about the community we’re building: a national network of local government officials who are learning from each other and taking action together.

In July, more than 100 local government leaders and advocates gathered for a two-day summit hosted by Public Rights Project in Pennsylvania. By the end of the event, participants had built meaningful connections and exchanged insights on the intersecting issues they face, including federal overreach, housing, immigration, health care, and climate justice.

But what stood out was the way local leaders are already stepping up to meet these challenges in innovative and practical ways.

Take Kansas City, Missouri, for example. Through its Housing Trust Fund, the city has created or preserved 2,458 homes in just three years. This is a powerful reminder that local governments are the engines of real change when they have the tools and support to act. The hub is committed to harnessing the power and possibility of local action. 

What makes the hub different
In just six months, it is clear that the Civil Rights Hub is meeting the moment and our services are in high demand. The hub is an important starting point for local government officials navigating unprecedented challenges. 

PRP has created the space to ask questions, share expertise, and strategize about next steps in this fight. We know we won’t win every battle. But our network is growing stronger and the power of a collective voice has never been more critical.

I’m hopeful that together, we can forge new connections and find collective strength in the path we shape ahead. Our aim is to build a coast-to-coast coalition ready to support one another and fight for their communities over and over and over again. The Civil Rights Hub is poised to become the most powerful network of pro-civil rights local government leaders in the country. 

If you’re a local official, here are a few ways to get involved:

• Attend trainings
• Participate in our discussions
• Sign on to an amicus brief 
• Join a lawsuit

Join us! I look forward to another six months — and more — of impact.