LANSING – The United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts has issued a preliminary injunction (PDF) prohibiting the Trump Administration from diverting funds allocated to the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program for unrelated purposes. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel in July joined a coalition of 20 states in suing the Trump Administration over its decision to illegally shut down the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s BRIC program, which is designed to protect communities from natural disasters before they strike. Attorney General Nessel issued the following statement in response: 

“This ruling is an important step in safeguarding the BRIC program and stopping the Trump Administration from unlawfully diverting these critical resources for unrelated purposes. It preserves funding that would have otherwise been lost, ensuring it remains available to help communities prepare for and withstand natural disasters. In Michigan, we’ve seen firsthand the heartbreak and damage severe storms can cause, and BRIC has proven to be a vital tool for saving lives and strengthening our infrastructure. My office will continue fighting to ensure these lifesaving funds remain available to protect the people of our great state.”