BALTIMORE — Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown has stated that his office safeguarded billions of dollars in federal funding while upholding civil rights and vital public services in 2025 by vigorously contesting federal policies that jeopardized the state’s finances, workforce, and residents.
As per a year-end report issued by the Office of the Attorney General, Brown, along with a coalition of other state attorneys general, initiated numerous lawsuits and legal actions in reaction to extensive federal policy alterations that officials claim endangered Maryland’s economy, infrastructure, healthcare, and civil liberties.
In response to what the office characterized as unprecedented federal changes following January 2025, Brown established the Federal Accountability Unit (FAU) in late 2024 to swiftly address detrimental federal actions. The unit became operational prior to the commencement of the new presidential term and ultimately led or participated in over 50 lawsuits in 2025, in addition to various amicus briefs and multistate advocacy initiatives.
“Investing in the Federal Accountability Unit protects Marylanders’ lives and livelihoods,” Brown said in a statement. “Our legal victories have preserved billions in funding for Maryland and defended the rights and dignity of all Marylanders.”
Gov. Wes Moore praised the partnership between the governor’s office and the attorney general, saying the state would “never back down from protecting our people” and would continue to pursue federal resources Maryland is entitled to receive.
Preserving federal funding
Among the significant cases, Maryland initiated legal action to prevent attempts to obstruct the construction of a new FBI headquarters in Greenbelt, a project that has received over $1 billion in funding approved by Congress. The case is still pending.
Additionally, the state spearheaded a multistate lawsuit aimed at reinstating AmeriCorps programs that had been abruptly discontinued, thereby safeguarding approximately $14.6 million for Maryland initiatives that assist seniors, youth, and disaster victims.
In a separate matter, Maryland contested a federal funding freeze that was enacted in January 2025, successfully safeguarding billions in previously allocated grants, which include over $92 million for the Maryland Department of Human Services and $60 million associated with emergency cleanup efforts for the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
Protecting federal workers
Brown’s office also took action against the mass termination of federal employees. Maryland led a coalition that temporarily reinstated around 24,000 probationary federal workers across the nation following extensive layoffs, many of whom were residents of Maryland. Although some aspects of that ruling were subsequently overturned, the litigation postponed terminations and ensured continued pay for thousands.
The attorney general also contested initiatives aimed at dismantling or reorganizing federal agencies, such as the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Minority Business Development Agency, thereby preserving millions in annual funding for Maryland.
Recently, Maryland filed a lawsuit regarding attempts to defund the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, contending that its dissolution would undermine the enforcement of consumer and civil rights.
Defending civil rights and benefits
The office participated in several immigration-related cases, including litigation blocking efforts to end birthright citizenship and attempts to condition transportation and homeland security funding on state participation in federal immigration enforcement.
Maryland also fought to protect access to federal benefits. Lawsuits helped preserve Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for hundreds of thousands of residents, safeguard Medicaid data for more than 1.5 million participants, and stop cuts to housing programs that could have displaced more than 4,000 people.
In public health, Maryland sued the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services after nearly $11 billion in nationwide grants were terminated, including about $200 million for Maryland. A preliminary injunction restored the funding.
The state also joined challenges defending gender-affirming care, voting rights, equal credit protections, and the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program tied to transportation projects.
Environment and clean energy
Brown’s office led and joined multiple lawsuits to protect clean energy and environmental investments. Maryland sued the Environmental Protection Agency over canceled “Solar for All” grants, including more than $60 million earmarked for the Maryland Clean Energy Center.
The state also fought to preserve funding for offshore wind development, electric vehicle infrastructure, and FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program, protecting tens of millions of dollars for flood mitigation and resilience projects.
Education and public safety
Maryland played a pivotal role in safeguarding funding for higher education and K-12 education. Legal actions secured over $50 million each year in indirect research funding for the University of Maryland system, reinstated more than $30 million in previously terminated NIH grants, and safeguarded approximately $188 million for K-12 schools from the Education Stabilization Fund.
Further legal efforts released upwards of $110 million in formula grants to Maryland schools and preserved mental health and community school programs throughout the state.
In terms of public safety, Maryland co-led legal actions that prevented the federal government from distributing illegal machine-gun conversion devices within the state, contending that these devices would exacerbate gun violence.
Brown acknowledged the contributions of staff from his office, state agencies, and the Moore administration for their collaborative response.
“Our responsibility is to stand up for Maryland when federal actions threaten its pocketbook, its principles or its people,” Brown said.
