Great Lakes Wire

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced that a federal court has granted a motion filed by her office and a coalition of 22 other attorneys general to halt the implementation of a new Trump administration policy. This policy would have blocked federal agency grants, loans, and other financial assistance programs.

"Today, we secured a temporary restraining order to halt the Trump White House’s unprecedented, reckless, and illegal attack on vital government services millions of Michiganders rely upon every day, from Head Start to Medicaid," Nessel stated. She emphasized that this freeze violated constitutional and federal laws, posing threats to health and safety.

The U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island issued the temporary restraining order, extending beyond an earlier administrative stay by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The lawsuit was initially brought by nonprofit groups affected by the funding freeze.

“While it remains unclear what has been ordered or rescinded by the White House, our legal challenge secured clarity from a federal Court that will keep these funds where they belong: supporting essential programs," Nessel continued. She expressed readiness to defend Michigan's interests alongside national colleagues.

The proposed policy from January 27 aimed to pause most federal assistance indefinitely, affecting healthcare, education, law enforcement, disaster relief, infrastructure, among others. On January 28, Nessel and other attorneys general sued to stop its enforcement and preserve essential funding.

Although President Trump rescinded the memo hours before an initial hearing in this case on Wednesday, public statements suggested that the freeze remained effective. As a result of OMB's policy issuance, Medicaid funds were frozen in multiple states and Head Start programs faced fund cuts.

“Though I am grateful to have our order today,” said Nessel regarding ongoing efforts in court proceedings. “I will continue to pursue my lawsuit... Sadly, the chaos wrought and damage done by this attempted funding freeze will not be so easily undone.”

The temporary restraining order prevents any blanket freeze on federal funding until further court rulings on preliminary injunctions are made.

Leading this lawsuit are attorneys general from New York, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Rhode Island with support from Arizona through Wisconsin including Washington D.C.