New York Attorney General Letitia James has spearheaded a coalition of 22 other attorneys general in filing motions for enforcement and a preliminary injunction against the Trump administration. The legal action aims to counteract a funding freeze issued by the President's Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which places an indefinite hold on significant federal funding, affecting programs that provide essential services nationwide.
Attorney General James previously led the coalition in suing the administration over this freeze on January 28. A temporary restraining order (TRO) was granted by the court on January 31, halting the freeze's implementation pending further court orders. However, despite this TRO, James and her colleagues claim that vital funds continue to be withheld, threatening public safety and essential services across various states.
The Trump administration has argued that certain large-scale funding areas, including those from bipartisan acts like the Infrastructure Improvement and Jobs Act (IIJA) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), should remain frozen. In response, Attorney General James and her team are urging the court to enforce the TRO more strictly by unfreezing these funds. They are also seeking a preliminary injunction to block further attempts at withholding funds while their lawsuit progresses.
"Last week’s illegal freeze of essential federal funding has wreaked havoc and harm in New York and across the country," stated Attorney General James. "Due to the administration’s reckless action, programs providing childcare and health care services, necessary research, and life-saving public safety support have experienced real challenges."
The OMB directive from January 27 sought to pause vast amounts of federal financial assistance indefinitely but faced criticism for its execution. Despite claims of rescinding this policy shortly after its announcement, courts found that funding continued to be withheld selectively based on executive orders perceived as chaotic or discriminatory.
In New York alone, Medicaid funds were frozen while Head Start programs struggled with accessing their finances. Community health centers faced potential closure due to cash flow issues caused by delayed fund access. Moreover, crucial infrastructure projects risk losing billions in federal support.
James' lawsuit seeks not only immediate relief but also aims to preserve ongoing federal funding critical for families and communities nationwide. The attorneys general argue that without intervention, vital sectors such as childcare, education, public safety, healthcare, energy projects related to pollution control would face irreparable harm.
This lawsuit is supported by attorney generals from California through Rhode Island among others representing various states including Arizona through Wisconsin alongside Washington D.C., reflecting widespread concern over maintaining uninterrupted access necessary resources federally allocated across America today under threat due recent administrative actions undertaken within past weeks impacting numerous aspects daily life millions citizens affected adversely result thereof directly attributable current circumstances unfolding presently before us collectively speaking now herein described thusly altogether accordingly likewise similarly...