Judge halts Trump's initiative to withhold funding for states that defy cooperation on immigration enforcement
Tmandrew, our sassy correspondent, dives into the legal mess surrounding President Trump's deportations and his executive order for sanctuary cities on 'Special Report.'
In a jaw-dropper on Thursday, a fed-up judge in Rhode Island threw a monkey wrench into the Trump administration's plans by issuing a preliminary injunction blocking their attempt to deny federal transportation funds to states that don't toe the immigration enforcement line.
These 20 Democratic-leaning states got antsy and took the Trump administration to court, challenging a new Department of Transportation (DOT) policy of withholding or cancelling federal funds to any uncooperative state or local government.
The moment Trump took the big Oval Office, he waved his magic wand and issued an executive order threatening to deny federal funds to what he dubbed "sanctuary jurisdictions."
U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell Jr., who clearly ain't afraid to speak his mind, issued the preliminary injunction against the Trump administration's antics on Thursday. He calls their actions "unconstitutional and/or unlawful" because it violates the Administrative Procedure Act.
Dude, McConnell ain't playing games either – he also slammed the Trump administration as ultra vires and stepping way out of their legal bounds, going beyond what Congress has power to do thanks to the Spending Clause.
Well, under the preliminary injunction, the Trump administration can't do squat. McConnell wrote that they're prohibited from implementing or enforcing the Immigration Enforcement Condition as set forth in the Duffy Directive. They also can't withhold or terminate federal funding based on the Immigration Enforcement Condition, unless they've got specific statutory authorization.
Some other juicy details – the court forbade and enjoined any attempts to implement the Immigration Enforcement Condition, and any actions to enforce it, too.
Digital reached out to the White House for comment, but they ain't responded yet. So continue to stay tuned for more on this mess!
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who's made a name for himself with his hardline stance on immigration, has warned these non-cooperative states that they won't get a red cent from the feds to rebuild their infrastructure. Dude, he even took aim at California officials who've been putting up a fight on immigration enforcement.
"The USDOT will not fund rogue state actors who refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement," Duffy said in his sassy manner. "And to cities that stand by while rioters destroy transportation infrastructure – don't expect a red cent from DOT, either."
Duffy said it loud and clear in April that federal grants come with the obligation to adhere to federal law.
"It shouldn't be controversial – enforce our immigration rules, end anti-American DEI policies, and protect free speech. These values reflect the priorities of the American people, and I will take action to ensure compliance," he said.
Remember, folks – it's always the quiet ones you gotta be worried about!
Digital's Charles Creitz contributed to this report. Story tips and ideas can be sent to [email protected] and on Twitter @GregWehner.
[1] https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/24/politics/biden-immigration-sanctuary-cities-federal-funding/index.html
[2] https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2023-05-24/ruling-blocks-trump-administration-from-withholding-federal-funds-from-sanctuary-cities
[3] https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/05/24/judge-blocks-trumps-federal-funding-sanctuary-cities-attempt-rules/
[4] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration-idUSKBN23S2JU
[5] https://www.axios.com/trudeau-revokes-const-order-on-obstructing-justice-d210f1e0-f82b-4f0d-8b37-8aad0463951b.html
- Amid the ongoing political dispute, a federal judge's ruling marked a significant turn in policy-and-legislation, blocking the Trump administration's effort to withhold federal funds from sanctuary cities, which is a breaking news story in general-news.
- As the Latest on asylum disputes continues to unfold, the court's injunction against the Trump administration's antics in politics has overshadowed the discussion on immigration enforcement, creating a twist in the broader landscape of policy-and-legislation.
