California Attorney General Rob Bonta has issued a statement ahead of a crucial court hearing regarding the Trump Administration's attempt to freeze up to $3 trillion in federal funding. This legal challenge, initiated by a coalition of 23 attorneys general, is seeking a preliminary injunction against the administration's actions.
"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," said Attorney General Bonta. He highlighted the potential impact on California, noting that "a funding freeze could cost millions of dollars each day, devastating many small businesses and endangering the lives and livelihoods of our most vulnerable."
The lawsuit, led by attorneys general from California, New York, Rhode Island, Illinois, and Massachusetts, was filed last month in response to the administration's efforts. The U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island had previously granted a temporary restraining order blocking the implementation of the freeze until further notice.
Following this initial victory, the attorneys general filed motions for enforcement and a preliminary injunction to halt what they describe as an illegal freeze on essential federal funds. In California alone, federal funding constitutes 34% of the state's budget. This includes significant allocations for Medicaid programs serving millions across various demographics.
The court has already granted a motion for enforcement requiring compliance with the temporary restraining order. The upcoming hearing on the motion for a preliminary injunction will be available remotely at 10:30 AM PT / 1:30 PM ET.
Attorney General Bonta is joined by his counterparts 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 legal remedy.