A coalition of 20 states, predominantly led by Democrats, has filed two lawsuits against the Trump administration, which threatened to withhold billions in federal funding unless the states complied with its demands regarding immigration enforcement.
The states described the threats, which include cuts to federal funds for transportation, counterterrorism, and emergency preparedness, as “blatantly illegal” and a “hostage scheme.” They argued that the administration is overstepping its bounds by usurping Congress’s authority over spending and leveraging funding to compel states to adhere to its policies.
In one of the lawsuits, the states contended, “By hanging a halt in this critical funding over states like a sword of Damocles, defendants impose immense harm on states,” forcing them to choose between disaster preparedness and their own judgment on crime investigations and prosecutions.
California's attorney general, Rob Bonta, who is leading the litigation, remarked that President Trump is utilizing essential funding as a “bargaining chip.”
Last month, the White House issued two executive orders threatening to cut off funding to so-called sanctuary jurisdictions that do not fully cooperate with immigration officials.
When asked about the lawsuits, White House spokesman Kush Desai stated, “Americans would all be better off if these Democrat attorneys general focused on prosecuting criminals and working with the Trump administration to address the toll of gangster illegal aliens on their communities instead of playing political games.”
The two lawsuits were filed in Federal District Court in Rhode Island, with one naming the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Homeland Security, while the other targets the Transportation Department.
States leading the lawsuits include California, Illinois, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, with Maryland also listed as a lead state in the transportation lawsuit. Other states participating include Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin, most of which have Democratic attorneys general and governors, except for Nevada and Vermont, which have Republican governors.
A similar lawsuit was previously filed by a coalition of 19 states regarding threats to withhold federal funding from states and school districts with specific diversity programs in public schools. State attorneys general have also initiated lawsuits concerning tariffs and mass layoffs at various agencies, including the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services.