Attorney General Kwame Raoul is leading a coalition of 22 attorneys general to seek a court order against the Trump administration's decision to freeze essential funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Despite a preliminary injunction issued on March 6, which blocked the administration from unlawfully withholding federal funds, hundreds of millions of dollars in grants remain inaccessible to states.
This funding is crucial for emergency preparedness and recovery programs addressing various threats, including terrorist attacks, mass shootings, wildfires, floods, and cybersecurity threats. Raoul and his coalition have filed a motion to enforce the March 6 injunction to compel the administration to release FEMA funds immediately.
"Funding through FEMA is critical in Illinois and states around the country because it supports state efforts to help communities recover following natural disasters," Raoul stated. "States also count on FEMA grants to protect public spaces...from cybersecurity threats, mass shootings and acts of terrorism."
The funding freeze policy was issued through several actions, including a memorandum from the Office of Management and Budget on January 27. This policy has withheld trillions in federal funds intended for states and other entities like nonprofit organizations and community health centers. The inability to access these funds has jeopardized public safety, disaster response, and emergency preparedness nationwide.
Raoul initiated legal action against this policy by filing a lawsuit on January 28. A temporary restraining order was granted on January 31, blocking implementation until further notice. Subsequent motions were filed by Raoul seeking enforcement of this order. On February 8, the court ordered immediate compliance with the TRO.
On February 28, another motion was filed by Raoul's coalition aiming to stop the freezing of FEMA grants specifically. A preliminary injunction was granted on March 6 requiring an update regarding compliance by March 14; however, funds continue to be withheld.
The attorneys general joining Raoul include those from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Nevada New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina Oregon Rhode Island Vermont Washington Wisconsin.