Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel Secures Court Ruling Protecting Health and Human Services Offices

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has scored a significant victory in her efforts to safeguard the health and safety of Michigan residents. After the Trump Administration attempted to dismantle several offices within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, a coalition of 19 attorneys general, including Nessel, secured a preliminary injunction blocking the move. The United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island recently upheld the injunction, rejecting the Trump Administration's motion to vacate it.

Key Takeaways:

• The United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island denied the Trump Administration's motion to vacate a preliminary injunction secured by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and a coalition of 19 attorneys general to stop the dismantling of several offices within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
• The Court stated it would not interpret the Supreme Court's shadow docket summary orders as definitive indications of how either the Supreme Court or the First Circuit Court of Appeals might rule on a motion to stay or on the merits of the case.
• Attorney General Nessel expressed relief that the Court rejected the Trump Administration's attempt to dismantle pivotal divisions of the Department of Health and Human Services.
• The case continues to be appealed through the courts, and Attorney General Nessel remains committed to defending the health and safety of Michigan residents at every turn.
• The coalition of 19 attorneys general includes Nessel's office and counterparts from other states, highlighting the importance of inter-state cooperation in protecting public health.
• The injunction blocks the dismantling of offices responsible for, among other things, overseeing the administration of Medicare, Medicaid, and children's health insurance programs.

Statistics:

• 19: The number of attorneys general, including Nessel, who secured the preliminary injunction blocking the dismantling of several offices within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
• 1: The single U.S. Department (Health and Human Services) affected by the Trump Administration's attempted dismantling of offices.
• Uncounted: The number of Michigan residents whose health and safety were threatened by the Trump Administration's attempt to dismantle the affected offices.
• The case will continue to be appealed: The Court's ruling is not the final word on the matter, and the Trump Administration has already indicated its intention to appeal the decision.

Sources:

• https://www.michigan.gov/ag/news/press-releases/2025/07/21/attorney-general-nessel-on-court-upholding-preliminary-injunction-blocking-the-dismantling-of-hhs
• Original PDF from the Court ruling (no specific page numbers mentioned)