Abstract
Introduction
In an era marked by sharp divisions between the states and the federal government, the Maryland Office of the Attorney General (OAG), with the support of the Maryland General Assembly and the Governor, created an essential mechanism for protecting Maryland's laws, funding, and programs: the Federal Accountability Unit (FAU). Established in the wake of escalating federal actions that threaten Maryland's legal and policy interests as well as the civil rights of Marylanders, particularly since the beginning of the Trump administration's second term, the FAU stands as a coordinated, impact-driven legal force. Its mission is straightforward: to monitor, challenge, and reverse unlawful federal actions that affect Maryland and its residents. This mission reflects Attorney General Anthony Brown's commitment to ensuring that Maryland is prepared to respond swiftly and effectively to federal actions. This article explores how the FAU was formed and operates, as well as the pivotal cases it has undertaken thus far, outlining its role in safeguarding Maryland's rights and shaping the state's legal response to federal overreach.
Repository Citation
Mehek Singh,
Holding the Line: Maryland's Federal Accountability Unit and the Fight against Unlawful Federal Actions,
7
Md. B. J.
(2025).
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wcl.american.edu/stusch_lawrev/98