Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced on Mar. 23 that she has joined a group of 21 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration over new funding conditions imposed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The coalition claims these conditions could jeopardize billions in federal support for programs like school lunches, food assistance, and rural services, which are vital to vulnerable populations across Michigan and other states.
According to the lawsuit, the USDA adopted new rules effective Dec. 31, 2025, requiring states to comply with policies relating to immigration, diversity, equity and inclusion, and gender identity—areas not directly tied to the core purposes of USDA funding. The attorneys general argue that these requirements are vague and expansive. “The Trump administration is once again trying to pressure states into complying with vague and unlawful conditions by threatening to withhold essential federal funding,” said Attorney General Nessel. “We’ve challenged and defeated these tactics before and are fully prepared to do it again to ensure Michiganders receive the assistance they need to feed their families.”
The complaint alleges violations of both the Spending Clause—by imposing coercive requirements without clear notice—and the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), claiming that the rules are arbitrary, unconstitutional, contrary to law, and exceed USDA’s statutory authority.
Programs at risk include those serving millions of children through school meals as well as initiatives supporting agriculture research and emergency services such as firefighting. The State of Michigan receives significant annual federal support: $761 million for Child Nutrition Programs in fiscal year 2025; $210 million for WIC in fiscal year 2023; $3 billion for SNAP in fiscal year 2024; and $16 million for TEFAP in fiscal year 2026.
Nessel is joined by attorneys general from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawai‘i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island,Vermont,V irginia ,Washington,and Wisconsin .
The Michigan Department of Attorney General advances social efforts through actions against human trafficking and support for vulnerable populations according to its official website. It also focuses on serving residents through public service initiatives according to its official website.
Dana Nessel has served as Michigan’s 54th attorney general according to its official website. The department exercises statewide authority designed specifically to safeguard residents according to its official website, including influencing policy such as drafting Michigan’s Clean Slate law in 2019 according to its official website.
Looking ahead ,the coalition seeks a court order prohibiting enforcement or implementation of what they call illegal funding conditions . As this legal challenge unfolds ,federal nutrition aid —and how it reaches millions —hangs in balance.
