Washington Attorney General Nick Brown is leading a coalition of 20 states in suing the Trump administration for unlawfully terminating the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program – a vital, bipartisan initiative that helps communities prepare for natural disasters.
For three decades, BRIC has funded critical pre-disaster mitigation projects like floodwalls, evacuation shelters, and infrastructure upgrades. The abrupt shutdown has jeopardized nearly 2,000 projects nationwide, including 27 in Washington totaling $182 million–most of which support small towns and rural communities.
“This illegal cut endangers the communities most vulnerable to natural disasters,” he said. “I will hold the Trump administration accountable for abandoning their safety.”
The lawsuit argues FEMA’s termination of the program violates congressional authority, federal law, and the Constitution. The coalition is seeking a court order to stop the diversion of BRIC funds and reinstate the program.
AG joins suit to block bans on social services
Brown also joined a coalition of 20 other attorneys general in filing a lawsuit to stop the federal government from enforcing new rules that limit access to critical health, education, and social service programs based on immigration status.
The lawsuit challenges a sudden reversal in federal policy, issued early last month by multiple agencies, which requires immigration verification for services funded by programs like Head Start, Title X family planning, adult education, and community mental health centers. Critics say the changes could disrupt essential services for both documented and undocumented residents – including U.S. citizens who lack formal documentation.
“These notices are plainly intended to damage vital support systems and intimidate vulnerable people,” Brown said, adding that the directives are unworkable and harmful to entire communities.
The coalition argues the rules were enacted without proper legal procedures and violate the U.S. Constitution by imposing funding conditions without state consent. The lawsuit asks the court to block the rules and restore long-standing federal practices.