Attorney General Charity Clark, along with 23 other attorneys general, has filed a motion to enforce and a motion for preliminary injunction in the ongoing lawsuit NY v. Trump. The coalition is challenging actions by President Trump, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and federal agencies over attempts to freeze nearly $3 trillion in federal assistance funding allocated to states.
The attorneys general argue that the funding freeze poses significant threats to essential state services, including access to food, healthcare, education, clean air and water, and infrastructure projects. These services rely on billions of dollars in federal assistance provided under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
Citing evidence of disruptions affecting state disbursements despite a court's Temporary Restraining Order (TRO), the coalition seeks enforcement of this order. The TRO was intended to ensure that funds remain accessible as required by statute.
The preliminary injunction motion details potential harm from restricted access to federal financial assistance. Without these funds, many states could face immediate cash shortfalls impacting basic programs such as healthcare and food for children. In Vermont alone, funding supports Head Start programs for low-income families, home energy assistance through LIHEAP, support for homeless veterans reintegrating into communities, aid for domestic violence victims making safety plans, refugee support services including English classes and job placement, and public safety programs addressing Medicaid fraud and child sexual abuse cases.
Ongoing disruptions threaten efforts related to clean energy investments, transportation infrastructure improvements, critical healthcare provisions among others.
Attorney General Clark is joined by attorneys general from Arizona; California; Colorado; Connecticut; Delaware; the District of Columbia; Hawaii; Illinois; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; Michigan; Minnesota; New York; Nevada; New Jersey (twice mentioned); New Mexico; North Carolina (repeated); Oregon Rhode Island Washington Wisconsin
A copy of both motions can be accessed online.