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. The action seeks to address ongoing disruptions in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding. The District Court for the District of Rhode Island had previously granted an enforcement motion due to reported disruptions 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 meant for emergency preparedness and recovery programs.
Attorney General Bonta stated, "We have been closely monitoring the Trump Administration’s compliance with a court order stopping its radical and unlawful funding freeze." He emphasized that some states still face disruptions accessing vital FEMA funds and called on the court to ensure immediate reinstatement of this funding nationwide.
In California, the enforcement motion specifically addresses a FEMA grant awarded in 2022 under the National Flood Insurance Program. This grant was placed on hold as of 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, motions for enforcement and preliminary injunctions were filed by the attorneys general to stop what they termed an illegal freeze and preserve necessary federal funds.
For fiscal year considerations, California is projected to receive $168 billion in federal funds—34% of its budget—excluding public college and university system allocations. This includes $107.5 billion earmarked for Medicaid programs serving approximately 14.5 million Californians.
The motion sees support from attorneys general across several states including Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, North Carolina, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York Oregon Rhode Island Vermont Washington Wisconsin along with D.C., all seeking preliminary injunctions.
A copy of the motion is available online.