Golden State Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a statement in advance of a court hearing regarding the Trump Administration's plan to freeze up to $3 trillion in federal funding. The litigation, initiated by a coalition of 23 attorneys general, argues that the funding freeze is unlawful and threatens essential services.

“The Trump Administration has recklessly and illegally threatened to cut off vital federal assistance funding for everything from healthcare and childcare programs to housing assistance and infrastructure projects. In California alone, a funding freeze could cost millions of dollars each day, devastating many small businesses and endangering the lives and livelihoods of our most vulnerable,” said Attorney General Bonta. “We are in court today seeking to prevent the Trump Administration from moving forward with this freeze while our litigation continues. Despite what he may think, President Trump is not a king, and the power of the purse remains with Congress. As state attorneys general, we will not stop fighting to uphold the rule of law and to protect our people, values, and resources when they come under attack.”

The lawsuit was filed last month by attorneys general from states including California, New York, Rhode Island, Illinois, and Massachusetts. A temporary restraining order was quickly granted by the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island to block the freeze's implementation pending further orders.

Following this order, motions for enforcement and a preliminary injunction were filed to halt the freeze permanently. California expects $168 billion in federal funds this fiscal year, which accounts for 34% of its budget excluding public college funding. This includes $107.5 billion for Medicaid programs serving approximately 14.5 million Californians.

The court granted the motion for enforcement shortly after it was filed, requiring immediate compliance with the restraining order against freezing federal funds. The hearing on the preliminary injunction can be viewed remotely at 10:30 AM PT / 1:30 PM ET.

Attorney General Bonta is joined by attorneys general from Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, North Carolina, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin in seeking this injunction.