On June 28, U.S. District Court Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryck denied the Biden Administration's motion to dismiss America First Legal's (AFL) first amended complaint regarding federal funding for Palestinian terrorism. This decision allows the case to proceed, challenging the administration's $1.5 billion subsidy program for Palestinians.
The plaintiffs, including U.S. Rep. Ronny L. Jackson (R-TX), Stuart and Robbi Force—parents of Taylor Force, a West Point graduate killed by a Palestinian attacker—and Sarri Singer, a survivor of a Hamas suicide attack, filed the lawsuit on December 20, 2022. They allege that President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken violated the Taylor Force Act by using U.S. tax dollars to support the Palestinian Authority’s "pay-to-slay" system.
Judge Kacsmaryck previously denied a motion to dismiss on February 22, 2024. The plaintiffs then amended their complaint with additional allegations against the Biden Administration for violating both the Taylor Force Act and the Administrative Procedure Act by reversing the Trump Administration’s "no funds" policy.
Stuart and Robbi Force expressed their appreciation for Judge Kacsmaryck’s decision: “Robbi and I are very appreciative of Judge Kacsmaryck’s denial of the government’s motions to dismiss our complaint... We are grateful for AFL’s leadership in this important effort to ensure the law is followed.”
Sarri Singer also welcomed the ruling: “I am very happy the Court denied the Defendants’ motion to dismiss our lawsuit a second time... The Biden Administration must be held accountable for its use of taxpayer funding of ‘pay-to-slay,’ which only perpetuates violence and terrorism every day.”
Rep. Ronny Jackson emphasized national security concerns: “The law is clear that taxpayer dollars should not be funding Palestinian terrorism... This critical decision will help hold the Biden administration accountable and ensure that national security is prioritized over illegal funding of terrorism with American taxpayer dollars.”
Reed D. Rubinstein, AFL Senior Vice President, criticized the administration's actions: “The Biden Administration’s $1.5 billion in illegal payments... have led to mass death, destruction, and disaster... Now, accountability is on the horizon.”