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Federal funds for California could face significant cuts, according to sources, as President Trump prepares for a massive withdrawal of financial aid.
Yo! Here's the lowdown on the Trump admin's latest hustle. They're planning to wipe out a substantial chunk of federal funding for California as early as this Friday, according to multiple snitches. Institutions are being told to identify grants that the admin can yank from Cali. Word on the street is that they're seriously considering axing all federal grant funding for the University of California and California State University systems.
Kush Desai, White House spokesman, dropped a statement on Friday saying, "No one should be coerced to pay for California's downfall. The state's energy, immigration, and other policies are a joke." However, Desai added that no definite decisions have been made yet concerning future actions by the admin.
It's clear that Trump has had it in for Dem-led California for quite some time now. Last month, he threatened to deny federal funding to Cali over a transgender athlete participating in a sporting event - just another example of Trump trying to play the funding game to push his agenda. The admin recently slashed $126.4 million from flood prevention funding projects, and Trump has been relentless in targeting Cali's wildfire management this year. Trump and Gov. Gavin Newsom have been butting heads for years.
Rumor has it that the admin is aiming at Cali universities because of supposed antisemitism on campus, an issue the schools have been trying to squash over the past year. The admin has already taken aim at Harvard and Columbia for similar reasons.
The UC system is Cali's third-largest employer, and both systems are massive research engines in biotechnology and medicine, among other fields. It's unclear how the school systems plan to retaliate, but it's possible they might enlist the help of California's Attorney General, Rob Bonta, a Dem.
CNN has reached out to Bonta's office, the UC system, and the CSU system for comments. Cali Rep. Zoe Lofgren, the top Dem on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, wasn't holding back: "Trump's a bully. He might be thinking about cutting grants to California because we didn't vote for him and lean left. I'll fight back on this. It'll be immediately challenged in court." Pelosi chimed in, "Whatever cruel crusade the President might announce against California, we'll fight back."
California's state legislature appropriated $25 million in its budget for fighting Trump admin policies, but only approximately $5 million has been spent so far. GOP Rep. Darrell Issa of Cali, who claims he wasn't aware of the imminent grant cancellations, recently met with university reps who seemed terrified about their funding future.
Issa's message to the anxious university representatives was simple: "We'll advocate for essentials, but come to me with specifics. I'll back you up if you bring me a solid case. But I'm not gonna plead for no cuts; you just get more money every year. That's how we ended up in this mess."
This story has been brought to you by CNN, straight from the horse's mouth.
Enrichment Data:- The Trump administration is reportedly considering significant cuts to federal funding for California universities, but the specific reasons for these cuts haven't been officially confirmed[1][2].- California has threatened to withhold federal taxes in response to the Trump administration's potential funding cuts[2].- The Targeting of California universities over antisemitism allegations is not explicitly mentioned, but it is hinted at as the reason for possible funding cuts[2].- Governor Gavin Newsom and the Trump administration have a history of politically charged comments and actions[2][3].
- The Trump administration's potential cuts to federal funding for California universities, hinted to be due to alleged antisemitism on campus, could have significant impacts, as the UC system is California's third-largest employer and a major player in biotechnology and medicine.
- The political tensions between the Trump administration and California, particularly over policy matters such as energy, immigration, and wildfire management, continue to escalate, with the administration reportedly considering drastic cuts in funding for the state's universities, a move that could be challenged in court if implemented.
