Federal judge orders Trump administration to restore disaster funds to Democratic states.
In a significant legal ruling, U.S. District Judge Mary McElroy has halted the Trump administration’s efforts to divert federal funding from states that have opted not to comply with certain immigration enforcement directives. This decision comes in the wake of a lawsuit filed by a coalition of twelve state attorneys general, contesting planned reductions in federal grants due to their designation as “sanctuary” jurisdictions.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) intended to reduce funding allocations by more than 3 million across several states, including Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. These cuts were to be enacted within the framework of a billion federal program designed to distribute resources based on assessed risks, primarily benefiting police and fire departments in the affected areas.
The proposed funding reductions were introduced shortly after another federal judge ruled unconstitutional the federal government’s requirement for states to cooperate with immigration enforcement in exchange for disaster funding from FEMA.
In her comprehensive 48-page ruling, Judge McElroy found the administration’s approach to funding allocation unduly punitive and lacking a rational basis. She noted that the approach taken by federal officials appeared arbitrary, suggesting that the methodology employed could not justifiably produce such stark funding disparities. The judge ordered the DHS to reinstate the original funding amounts that had been previously announced.
Judge McElroy characterized the federal government’s actions as particularly troubling given the critical nature of the funding at stake, which supports essential counterterrorism and law enforcement programs. She emphasized the importance of these resources, particularly in light of recent public safety incidents, including a tragic attack at Brown University resulting in fatalities and numerous injuries.
In light of the ruling, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell expressed that the court’s decision prevents the administration from penalizing states for their immigration policies and ensures the continued availability of crucial resources needed for disaster preparedness and response.
The implications of this ruling are profound, as it challenges the extent of federal authority over state funding and underscores the importance of maintaining financial support for vital public safety initiatives. Further commentary from DHS and FEMA regarding the ruling has not yet been provided, as inquiries remain unaddressed.
