Michigan’s top lawyer is suing the hell out of the Trump administration

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel just launched a new online tracker to document every lawsuit, legal brief, and fight she’s picked with the Trump administration.

MICHIGAN—As President Donald Trump’s second term barrels past the 100-day mark, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has launched a new “Federal Actions Tracker” to document all the ways in which her office is pushing back against the administration’s “unlawful actions.”

The goal: Protect Michiganders—and keep the receipts.

Whether it’s threats to gut Social Security, cut federal research funding, or strip citizenship from American-born children, the ripple effects of Trump’s policies have the potential to reach every corner of the state. And as the state’s top law enforcement official, Nessel is pushing back. 

The new state webpage catalogs every lawsuit, legal brief, and motion Nessel (on behalf of the state of Michigan and its 10 million residents) has filed so far this year to stop what she calls an “unlawful dismantling” of the federal government under Trump and billionaire Elon Musk.

“Left unchallenged, Trump’s unlawful actions would have grave consequences for Michigan,” Nessel said in a statement. “Michiganders deserve to know how these illegal federal actions affect their lives—and how my office, alongside attorneys general across the country, are fighting back. This tracker makes it easier for residents to follow our ongoing efforts.”

Here’s a quick look at some of the legal battles Nessel is waging:

Blocking the End of Birthright Citizenship

New Jersey et al. v. Trump (Jan. 21)

Following his inauguration, Trump signed an executive order that aimed to deny automatic citizenship to babies born in the US whose parents are undocumented immigrants—including thousands in Michigan. Nessel called it a “clear violation” of the Constitution, and the courts agreed, issuing a nationwide injunction to stop it.

The US Supreme Court is reportedly planning to take up the case next month.

And the stakes are massive. Without citizenship, children born in the US would lose access to Social Security numbers, legal employment, healthcare, and the right to vote. Michigan also stands to lose federal funding for programs it administers—like Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and foster care and adoption assistance services, Nessel contended.

“Birthright citizenship is a basic right granted to all Americans born on United States soil with historic roots and long-lasting implications for the states and their residents,” Nessel said in a statement in January. “It is disappointing that in the first hours of this incoming administration, the first perceived enemy President Trump has struck against is the US Constitution.”

Stopping Trump’s Research Cuts

Massachusetts v. NIH (Feb. 10)

The Trump administration has tried to slash over $200 million in research funding for Michigan universities—jeopardizing trials for cancer treatments, PTSD, epilepsy medication for kids, and more. Nessel joined a coalition of attorneys general who sued to block the maneuver. And a judge has since ordered a preliminary injunction to stop Trump’s plan to cut the funding.

“Had these cuts gone through, the consequences would have been devastating, leading to layoffs, suspension of critical research programs, and the loss of medical breakthroughs that could save countless lives,” Nessel said. “With tens of thousands of [National Institutes of Health]-supported trials currently underway in Michigan, we could not and will not allow Donald Trump to unilaterally derail this vital work.This injunction is a critical step in our ongoing fight.”

Challenging Musk’s Shadow Government

New Mexico et al. v. Musk (Feb. 13)

With Trump’s blessing, Musk was handed control over a new agency—the so-called Department of Government Efficiency—without approval from the US Senate. In response, Nessel and a coalition of attorneys general have argued that’s unconstitutional, pointing to Musk’s ability to slash federal jobs, shut down agencies, and access sensitive financial data without oversight.

This pending lawsuit aims to stop what Nessel calls an “illegal exercise of authority” and “an extraordinary assault on our federal government” by an unelected, unappointed billionaire.

“Musk’s seemingly limitless and unchecked power to strip the government of its workforce and eliminate entire departments with the stroke of a pen, or click of a mouse, is unprecedented,” the federal lawsuit states. “The sweeping authority now vested in a single unelected and unconfirmed individual is antithetical to the nation’s entire constitutional structure.”

Saving the Department of Education

New York et al. v. McMahon (Mar. 13)

Last month, Trump ordered the US Department of Education dismantled—risking billions of dollars in funding for special education, rural schools, and Pell Grants. And Nessel says the move is not only unconstitutional, but a direct attack on low-income and disabled students.

That’s because federal education funding helps ensure Michigan’s most vulnerable students—including those from low-income families and rural communities—are able to get a high quality education. All told, the state receives about $2.3 billion in federal funding from the Department annually, which goes on to support more than 1.4 million Michigan students.

These funds are integral for special education services, teacher salaries, and other essential resources—including for social workers, transportation, and physical and speech therapy. And Nessel says eliminating them would have “devastating consequences” for public education.

Nessel’s lawsuit, which seeks a preliminary injunction to block Trump’s order, is still pending.

“This executive order is just another illegal attempt by Donald Trump to unilaterally strip essential services from millions of students,” Nessel said in a statement. “The administration’s reckless move not only jeopardizes Michigan’s students but is blatantly unconstitutional.”

Defending Social Security Access

AAPD v. Dudek (Apr. 16)

This month, Nessel joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general in filing a legal brief that challenges the Trump administration’s attempt to dramatically slash the Social Security Administration’s workforce—including by firing as many as 7,000 workers this year.

The coalition argues that the agency is already understaffed, and that these “drastic cuts” will “further strain an already overwhelmed system,” making it “significantly harder” for elderly and disabled Americans to access critical—and often lifesaving—benefits and services.

Staffing reductions at the agency have already led to website outages, customer service disruptions, and closed field offices that many depend on for in-person help. Nessel contends that a court order is necessary to prevent Michiganders from running into more problems.

“The Trump Administration’s unconstitutional and chaotic attempts to gut the Social Security Administration are dangerous and harm the millions of Michigan residents who depend on these benefits to get by,” Nessel said in a statement. “The federal government should not be able to move forward without a clear, strategic plan to ensure recipients continue receiving benefits.”

Beyond the Lawsuits

Nessel’s new Federal Actions Tracker is providing Michiganders with a new way to follow all of this litigation against the Trump administration in real time—and it includes links, summaries, and filings for every lawsuit her office has filed or joined since Trump returned to power.

The Attorney General’s office has also opened a new reporting form for people having trouble accessing Social Security benefits—where, since last week, over 100 Michiganders have filed complaints ranging from missing payments to unresponsive phone lines and closed offices.

And Nessel is also taking her message on the road. 

So far, she’s hosted public town halls in Traverse City, Grand Rapids, Plymouth, Detroit, Kalamazoo, Benton Harbor, and Flint Township, with Lansing, Southfield, and Roseville on deck. At each stop, she’s listening to concerns—and promising to keep up the fight.

Rumors have been swirling that Nessel may take that fight to Washington next, with a potential 2026 campaign for Michigan’s soon-to-be open US Senate seat. But for now, she says, her focus is squarely on protecting Michiganders from a federal government spinning out of control.

“I don’t know what my future holds in terms of seeking another elected office because I am so focused on doing, right now, what I think is the very important job of being Michigan Attorney General,” Nessel explained during a radio interview on WDET 101.9 FM last month.

READ MORE: Nessel sounds alarm after Trump fires consumer watchdogs

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