California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with a coalition of 23 attorneys general, has filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. This action supports the plaintiffs opposing the Trump Administration’s appeal against a preliminary injunction order in the case of Global Health Council, et al. v. Trump, et al. The lawsuit challenges the Trump Administration’s decision to freeze federal funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Attorney General Bonta stated, “The Trump Administration does not have the authority to unilaterally withhold lawfully appropriated federal funds.” He emphasized that this impoundment causes significant harm to states relying on these funds for essential humanitarian and public health programs. In California alone, organizations and universities benefit from over $1.2 billion in USAID funding.
The attorneys general argue that the administration’s actions undermine Congress’s constitutional authority and are detrimental to public interest, affecting states and their residents negatively. They urge the court to uphold the district court’s preliminary injunction order, stressing that withholding USAID funds inflicts irreparable harm on various sectors including universities, farmers, nonprofits, and small businesses nationwide.
Consequences of this funding freeze include job losses for domestic workers, unallocated American crops intended for international distribution, and halted research projects at leading public universities due to lack of funds.
Joining Attorney General Bonta in filing this brief are attorneys general from the District of Columbia, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.
A copy of the amicus brief is available online.
