AG Nessel Continues to Fight Illegal Federal Actions, Restore Critical Funding for Michigan

LANSING – Since the Trump Administration took office in January 2025, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has taken action to protect the rights, services, and federal funding that Michigan residents depend on. Through 17 lawsuits challenging illegal federal directives and executive orders, Attorney General Nessel, working alongside coalitions of Democratic attorneys general, has fought against actions that violate the law and harm Michigan residents. Of those lawsuits, eight have already resulted in preliminary injunctions or temporary restraining orders, successfully halting unlawful federal efforts and preserving vital state resources.

“As Attorney General, I have a responsibility to stand up and fight for the people of Michigan when their rights and livelihoods are under attack,” Nessel said. “If left unchallenged, Donald Trump’s unlawful actions could have devastated this state, stripping away billions in federal funding that help keep our schools open, families fed, and communities safe. Fortunately, we have been largely successful so far in stemming these attacks, but I will continue to fight for Michigan residents and the rule of law.” 

These lawsuits have so far collectively recouped more than $750 million for Michigan and prevented devastating cuts to healthcare, education, disaster recovery, and research programs. Attorney General Nessel’s legal efforts have helped ensure vital protections and funding, including: 

• More than $100 million in FEMA funds for Michigan communities recovering from federally declared disasters and to support emergency management efforts throughout the State.
• Nearly $27 million in federal funding that supports essential services like Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, food assistance, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Title IV-E Foster Care & Adoption, and Meals on Wheels.
• Continued participation for 42,000 Michigan children under 5 in Head Start.
• Michigan’s sea lamprey program that aims to manage the populations of the invasive species to protect the Great Lakes and preserve the region’s $5.5 billion commercial fishing industry.
• The continuation of thousands of National Institutes of Health-supported trials on topics ranging from prostate cancer treatments, epilepsy medicines for children, and PTSD outcomes for veterans.
• The prevention of massive losses in research funding, including $181 million at the University of Michigan, $27 million at Michigan State University, and $18 million at Wayne State University.
• $379 million in previously-awarded grant funding owed to the State, supporting mental health and substance abuse treatment, infectious disease control, and vaccination programs for children and vulnerable adults.
• The continued existence of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, a federal agency that provides approximately $4.75 million in federal library funding to Michigan each year and supports Michigan’s MeL and MeLCat programs, which enable residents to easily identify and request convenient, quick, and free delivery of materials from other participating Michigan libraries to their own library for pick up, loaning more than a million items a year between participating libraries.
• $25 million in funding for the Michigan Department of Education and 16 local school districts for capital projects to keep classrooms warm, ventilated, and safe for kids.
• The continued existence of the U.S. Department of Education and the programs that support students who qualify for special education services through the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, aids young children enrolled in Early On Services, and funds the Title I-V programs, including those for migrant and indigenous education programs, English language learners, immigrant students, rural low-income districts, and students facing neglect and delinquency.

 To check the status of ongoing litigation, visit the Department of Attorney General’s Federal Actions Tracker.

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