BALTIMORE, MD – Attorney General Anthony G. Brown is taking swift action to enforce a court order that halts the Trump administration’s illegal freeze of federal funding, a move that is putting critical emergency preparedness and recovery programs at risk. Today, Brown joined a coalition of 22 other state attorneys general in filing a second motion to enforce the court’s ruling, which requires the administration to immediately release hundreds of millions of dollars in federal grants. These funds, allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), are vital for state programs aimed at combating wildfires, preventing floods, strengthening cybersecurity, and responding to natural disasters.
“FEMA funds are crucial for helping Marylanders rebuild after disasters,” said Maryland Attorney General Brown. “Withholding this money from Maryland – despite a court order – jeopardizes our state’s ability to respond to emergencies like fires and floods, putting lives and property at risk.”
“Trump is defunding disaster relief to states despite numerous, clear court orders blocking his illegal funding freeze. One month into this presidency, it is clear that Donald Trump intends to inflict real, lasting harm on American families, and he is willing to ignore the courts in order to do that. We are returning to court—once again—to defend our states and the families across Connecticut and America who are relying on these funds for life-saving disaster prevention efforts,” said Connecticut Attorney General Tong. “After superstorms Sandy and Isaias, and the devastating flooding just last August here in Connecticut, we know the damage and destruction of extreme weather, how hard it is to recover, and why we need to be prepared.”
“We have been closely monitoring the Trump Administration’s compliance with a court order stopping its radical and unlawful funding freeze,” said California Attorney General Bonta. “Despite clear instructions form the court, some states are continuing to experience disruptions in accessing vital FEMA funding. We’re again asking the court to enforce its order and ensure that the Trump Administration immediately reinstates access to this funding for states across the country.”
“The Trump administration’s reckless and illegal freeze on federal funding jeopardizes critical resources that help keep communities throughout New York and the nation safe,” said New York Attorney General James. “This dangerous policy put law enforcement, health care, and education funding at risk, and it continues to impact programs that protect our communities and help the most vulnerable. I will use every tool at my disposal to stop this chaos and confusion and ensure New Yorkers – and all Americans – get the resources they need.”
The dispute began on January 28, when Brown and a coalition of states filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over the funding freeze. On January 31, the court granted the attorneys general’s request for a temporary restraining order (TRO), which blocked the freeze until further notice. Just days later, on February 7, the coalition filed motions for enforcement and a preliminary injunction, urging the court to stop the freeze until the lawsuit is resolved. The court granted the first motion on February 10, requiring the administration to comply with the TRO and release the funds.
Despite this ruling, Brown and the coalition discovered that the administration has continued to withhold the funds, creating significant disruptions for states and local programs that depend on these grants. The frozen funds include critical financial support for wildfire prevention, flood mitigation, emergency management, and cybersecurity, leaving essential programs and personnel without necessary resources.
In response, the coalition’s second motion for enforcement, filed today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island, demands that the Trump administration immediately release the frozen funds unless they can provide evidence that the funds have been unblocked.
“This ongoing delay is unacceptable,” Brown said. “States are facing imminent threats from natural disasters and cyberattacks, and the administration’s refusal to comply with the court’s order is hindering our ability to protect communities and save lives.”
“The Trump Administration continues to illegally block FEMA funding that would go towards homeland security, fighting fires, and other critical safety needs for New Jerseyans,” said New Jersey Attorney General Platkin. “The safety of our residents is not a game and should not be subject to partisan politics and retribution from the President and his appointees. We are taking action to protect our residents and to make clear that President Trump must respect the rule of law.”
“What we are witnessing is a clear violation of the multiple court orders that ensure Americans receive the federal funding they rely on, including FEMA grants that provide critical disaster relief and recovery support,” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said. “My colleagues and I fought to secure these orders and their enforcement, and yet here we are once again, forced to take further action to protect Michiganders and uphold the rule of law. Temporary restraining orders aren’t just suggestions; they are legally binding orders, fundamental to our legal system. No one, not even President Trump, is above them.”
“It’s alarming that the Trump administration continues to ignore a court order and refuses to release federal funding for FEMA,” Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said. “Ignoring the law and putting politics over people’s safety is not only irresponsible, it is dangerous. We’re going to keep pushing and make sure the funds are released, and that the administration is held accountable for not following the law.”
“The Trump administration is blatantly ignoring court orders and continuing to withhold critical FEMA funds that states rely on for wildfire prevention, flood mitigation, and emergency response,” said Arizona Attorney General Mayes. “This is illegal, dangerous, and puts lives at risk. Along with my fellow attorneys general, we are taking action to force the administration to comply with the law and release these vital funds immediately.”
“Donald Trump is not a king,” said Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. “He cannot ignore laws passed by Congress and he cannot ignore court orders. Today, I’m taking action to stop Trump from withholding essential funds that states rely on to prepare for and recover from natural disasters like floods and wildfires.”
“This Administration is attempting to exert power beyond what the Constitution allows, and by doing so he is signaling that he believes himself to be above the law,” said Rhode Island Attorney General Neronha. “In refusing to fully comply with Judge McConnell’s order, the Administration is holding hostage funds that are critical to the health and safety of Rhode Islanders and Americans everywhere; funds that were lawfully allocated by the Congress to support essential state programs that prevent wildfires, promote cybersecurity, mitigate the effects of natural disasters, and provide emergency management. When the President and his Administration continuously flout court orders, they are testing the boundaries of what they can get away with, and toying with American lives in the process. Enough is enough, and we will stay in this fight until they comply.”
Attorney General Brown is joined by the attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawai‛i, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin in the lawsuit.
