AG Nessel on Federal Court Ordering Trump Administration Restore Federal Funding to Essential Programs

LANSING — Today, a federal court granted a motion (PDF) filed by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and a coalition of 23 attorneys general to enforce the temporary restraining order (TRO) blocking the implementation of a Trump administration policy that sought to halt federal agency grants, loans, and other financial assistance programs. In its ruling, the court also clarified the scope of the TRO, ordering President Donald Trump, the Office of Management and Budget, and the other defendants to restore funding and immediately end any attempt to withhold nearly $3 trillion in federal funding allocated to the states that support critical programs and services that benefit the American people. Attorney General Nessel issued the following statement in response: 

“While we were able to secure this order to further enforce the temporary restraining order on President Trump’s unlawful attempt to cut off funding for countless essential government services, our fight is far from over. I hope this ruling compels President Trump and his administration to finally comply with the order and ensure the federal dollars are provided as Congress intended. Along with other Democratic attorneys general, I will continue to pursue this lawsuit to protect Michiganders and defend these crucial programs against this unprecedented, reckless, and illegal attack.”