Attorney General Letitia James is spearheading a legal charge with a cadre of 22 other attorneys general against what they've called the Trump administration's "illegal and destructive freeze" on federal funding earmarked for emergency preparedness. According to a press release from the AG's office, this funding barricade is halting millions from reaching states' coffers for vital programs that deal with threats such as wildfires, floods, and cybersecurity attacks.
“The Trump administration’s reckless and illegal freeze on federal funding jeopardizes critical resources that help keep communities throughout New York and the nation safe,”m James stated in the press release. James adds that these actions not only affect law enforcement and healthcare, but they also threaten funding for programs that support the community's most vulnerable populations.
The lawsuit, led by James and other state attorneys general, resulted in a temporary restraining order (TRO) on January 31 to pause the administration's funding freeze. According to James, funds continue to be withheld, affecting various state-level programs. In New York, the freeze has impacted the state's Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES), delaying tens of millions of dollars designated for disaster preparedness and recovery efforts.
In response to this continued non-compliance, Attorney General James, alongside her coalition, filed a second motion for enforcement yesterday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island. They're seeking a court order that would force, the Trump administration to release the funds or provide proof that they have ended the freeze.
This legal action is supported by a broad coalition, which includes the attorneys general of California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, as well as those from Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. For more detailed information, visit the official statement from Attorney General James' office.
