Key facts
- Civil rights groups have sued the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
- The lawsuit seeks records concerning the Trump administration's attempted restrictions on federal childcare and family assistance funding.
- The restrictions were allegedly based on claims of fraud amplified by a viral video by influencer Nick Shirley.
- News reports indicated the claims in the video were misleading and exaggerated.
- Over $10 billion in federal funds for five states were previously frozen.
- A federal judge blocked the funding freeze, and HHS later rescinded it.
Civil rights groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Women's Law Center, have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The suit seeks records related to the Trump administration's attempted restrictions on federal childcare and family assistance funding. The restrictions followed claims of fraud against childcare centers, amplified by a viral video from far-right influencer Nick Shirley. News reports indicated these claims were misleading and exaggerated. The administration had previously frozen over $10 billion in federal funds for California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, and New York. A federal judge blocked the freeze, and HHS later rescinded it. The civil rights groups allege the actions were based on unsubstantiated claims and fueled by racist and anti-immigrant bias.