Golden State Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta, leading a coalition of 23 states, has filed a second motion to enforce a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the Trump Administration. This action was taken due to ongoing disruptions in certain Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding. The District Court for the District of Rhode Island had previously granted an earlier motion amid reports of interruptions in infrastructure and energy funding. Despite multiple court orders, the Trump Administration continues to block access to hundreds of millions of dollars in FEMA funding intended for emergency preparedness and recovery programs.

"We have been closely monitoring the Trump Administration’s compliance with a court order stopping its radical and unlawful funding freeze," said Attorney General Bonta. "Despite clear instructions from the court, some states are continuing to experience disruptions in accessing vital FEMA funding. We’re again asking the court to enforce its order and ensure that the Trump Administration immediately reinstates access to this funding for states across the country."

In California, this enforcement motion addresses a FEMA grant awarded in 2022 under the National Flood Insurance Program. This grant was placed on hold on February 21, 2025.

Last month, a coalition led by attorneys general from California, New York, Rhode Island, Illinois, and Massachusetts sued the Trump Administration over attempts to freeze up to $3 trillion in federal funding. The U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island quickly issued a TRO blocking this freeze until further notice. Following this decision, motions for enforcement and preliminary injunction were filed by the attorneys general to halt what they claim is an illegal freeze.

The state of California is expected to receive $168 billion in federal funds this fiscal year, constituting 34% of its budget excluding public college and university system funding. This includes $107.5 billion earmarked for Medicaid programs serving approximately 14.5 million Californians.

Attorney General Bonta's effort is supported 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.

A copy of the motion is available online.