Updates About Press Releases

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel recently joined a coalition of 24 attorneys general and two governors in filing a lawsuit that challenges the Trump administration’s implementation of the new Medicaid work requirements under H.R.1 (also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act or OBBBA).

The lawsuit targets an interim final rule issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The coalition argues the new interpretation of the rule would unlawfully narrow expectations for individuals who are considered “medically frail.” The coalition also claims that the interpretation, on top of new administrative burdens, will make it difficult for eligible Medicaid recipients to qualify for exemptions and would cause many to lose coverage.

They also allege that the rule fails to adequately consider the impact on states and the healthcare sector while imposing new compliance requirements after states had already begun implementing H.R. 1. The coalition is seeking to block enforcement of the challenged provisions before the work requirements take effect on January 1, 2027.

Recently, The U.S. Supreme Court completed its 2025-2026 term. Throughout the term, the Court issued several landmark decisions in relation to birthright citizenship, elections, and executive authority. Below are short summaries of four of the most significant rulings.

Birthright Citizenship - Trump v. Barbara

In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court struck down President Trump’s executive order that attempted to end birthright citizenship. The court then agreed, 5-4, that the constitution’s fourteenth amendment guarantees citizenship to everyone born in the United States. Justices Roberts, Sotomayor, Kagan, Jackson, and Barrett held the majority opinion. Justice Kavanaugh concurred in striking down the executive order, but did not rule it unconstitutional. Justices Thomas, Alito, and Gorsuch dissented to both decisions.

Federal Reserve Independence - Trump v. Cook

In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court blocked President Trump’s attempt to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, holding that Federal Reserve governors remain protected from removal without cause. The ruling preserved the Federal Reserve’s longstanding independence from direct presidential control. The Justices in the majority opinion were Kagan, Sotomayor, Kavanaugh, Jackson, and Chief Justice Roberts. Justices Thomas, Barrett, Gorsuch, and Alito all dissented.

Executive Powers - Trump v. Slaughter

In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court upheld President Trump’s removal of Federal Trade Commission Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, ruling that the President does have the power to remove independent agency officials who exercise significant executive power. The decision overturned a previous court case that previously protected the officials from removal without cause. This decision does not apply to the Federal Reserve as outlined in Trump v. Cook. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Thomas, Alito, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Barrett formed the majority, while Justices Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jackson dissented.

Mail-in Ballots - Watson v. Republican National Committee

The Supreme Court ruled, in a 5-4 decision, that mail-in ballots that are cast and postmarked by the day of the election will be counted even if received after Election Day has passed. The Republican National Committee had started the suit against Mississippi’s Republican Secretary of State, Michael Watson, to try and block the Mississippi law that permits counting late mail-in ballots. The Justices with the ruling opinion were Barrett, Roberts, Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jackson. The dissenters were Justices Thomas, Alito, Gorsuch, and Kavanaugh.

After the ruling was announced, President Trump said he was disappointed with the decision. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson issued a statement supporting the decision, stating that it upheld voting rights and helped to ensure more citizens are able to vote.

The U.S. Department of Justice, the Michigan Department of Attorney General, and the City of Romulus have filed a joint status update that formalizes the federal government’s decision to abandon plans to convert a Romulus warehouse into an ICE detention center. The agreement is to instead sell the property and adjourn the scheduled July 1 court conference and submit another status update to the court by July 17. Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a statement praising the agreement to abandon plans for the immigration detention center.