Federal Judge Blocks $233M Trump Cuts For Sanctuary States

A federal judge in Rhode Island, Mary McElroy, temporarily blocked the Trump administration from cutting $233 million in counterterrorism and emergency preparedness grants to several Democratic-led states, including California, New York, and Illinois. The affected states sued the administration, arguing that the funding cuts were politically motivated and violated the Administrative Procedures Act by being arbitrary and capricious, as the cuts were based on immigration-related policies rather than risk-based criteria established by Congress. The judge emphasized the abrupt timing of the cuts near the fiscal year's end and shortly after another ruling blocking similar funding withholdings, highlighting concerns about undermining public safety and emergency preparedness. State officials warned that the funding reductions could weaken critical programs such as bomb squads, tactical teams, and disaster response capabilities, putting lives at risk. The administration was ordered not to reallocate the funds while the litigation proceeds, with the court recognizing the strong likelihood of success for the plaintiffs and the irreparable harm the cuts would cause. This legal battle raises important questions about the limits of executive authority over federal funding and the impact of politicizing emergency preparedness resources.