Baltimore, MD — Maryland’s Attorney General, Anthony G. Brown, has allied with a group of 18 other attorneys general to submit an amicus brief that challenges the Trump administration’s sudden and extensive reductions to essential public safety funding. This brief backs a lawsuit that seeks to stop the Department of Justice (DOJ) from canceling hundreds of millions of dollars in federal support for violence prevention and public safety initiatives across the country.
In Maryland, 13 public safety programs are at risk, with more than $20 million in previously approved grants now revoked by the DOJ’s Office of Justice Programs. The programs impacted encompass a range of services, including violence prevention, victim assistance, juvenile justice, mental health and substance abuse treatment, as well as reentry initiatives for individuals who have been incarcerated.
A Sudden and “Dangerous” Decision
The DOJ’s unexpected decision, made two months ago, halted approximately $500 million in grants that had been approved but were still awaiting distribution. This action not only influences nonprofit and community initiatives but also has a direct impact on law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies that depend on this funding to enhance public safety and lower crime rates.
Attorney General Brown criticized the cuts as both reckless and illegal, calling them a threat to the progress made in recent years in reducing violence and rebuilding trust in the justice system.
“The Trump Administration’s decision to cancel hundreds of millions of dollars in critical funding… is not just misguided—it’s a dangerous threat to public safety,” Brown said. “Maryland cannot afford to reverse the progress we’ve made.”
Legal Action to Restore Funding
The amicus brief supports a lawsuit filed by five community organizations representing hundreds of grantees impacted by the cuts. The plaintiffs are seeking a preliminary injunction to immediately stop the rescission of funds, with a ruling pending in the District Court for the District of Columbia.
The brief argues that the DOJ’s sudden policy reversal violates administrative law and undermines decades of federal-state collaboration on public safety.
Wide-Ranging National Support
Attorney General Brown is joined in the brief by attorneys general from 17 other states and the District of Columbia, including California, New York, Illinois, and Oregon. The coalition underscores the widespread impact the funding cuts have had across the country and the bipartisan importance of sustaining local and state efforts to prevent violence and support victims.
A Threat to Services Beyond Law Enforcement
The Trump administration presented the funding cuts as a component of wider budget reforms; however, critics argue that these reductions unfairly impact services that local and state governments are unable to substitute independently—especially in marginalized communities. Initiatives aimed at supporting victims, rehabilitating youth, and fostering community-driven interventions are some of the most severely affected.
“These funds support victims on the worst days of their lives and provide second chances to those reentering society,” Brown emphasized. “We must stand up for these essential services.”
The outcome of the lawsuit could determine whether the canceled grants are reinstated, potentially restoring critical resources to communities across the country.
