Attorney General Dan Rayfield, along with a coalition of 22 other attorneys general, has filed a second motion for enforcement against the Trump administration. This action is part of an ongoing lawsuit concerning the administration's freeze on federal funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The funding freeze affects emergency preparedness and recovery programs across various states.
“It’s alarming that the Trump administration continues to ignore a court order and refuses to release federal funding for FEMA,” said Rayfield. “Ignoring the law and putting politics over people’s safety is not only irresponsible, it is dangerous. We’re going to keep pushing and make sure the funds are released, and that the administration is held accountable for not following the law.”
The lawsuit was initiated by Attorney General Rayfield and his colleagues on January 28th, resulting in a temporary restraining order (TRO) being granted by the court. On February 8th, their first motion for enforcement was approved, directing compliance with the TRO to cease freezing federal funds.
Despite these legal actions, essential funding remains withheld by the administration. The continued lack of access to these funds poses risks to state programs and public safety. The new motion filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island aims to enforce fund release unless evidence is provided that they have been unfrozen.
The attorneys general involved represent Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia.