Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Withholding of Transport Funds

UPDATE: A federal judge has just dealt a significant blow to President Donald Trump by barring his administration from withholding transportation funds from states that do not comply with federal immigration priorities. U.S. District Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr. imposed a permanent injunction on October 3, 2023, against the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), stating the administration had “blatantly overstepped” its authority.

The ruling is a critical moment for states like California, which led a coalition of 20 states that filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration back in May. Judge McConnell found that the DOT’s attempt to impose immigration-related conditions on federal funding was completely unwarranted. “None of the statutes cited by DOT expressly afford it the kind of sweeping authority it claims,” he noted in his ruling.

This decision comes amid a heated political climate surrounding immigration and federal funding. Judge McConnell emphasized that the Constitution mandates the court to intervene against what he described as “lawless behavior.” His ruling is a reinforcement of the principle that federal grants should not be contingent upon the enforcement of immigration laws.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy had previously asserted that federal grants involve a clear obligation to adhere to federal laws. “It shouldn’t be controversial — enforce our immigration rules, end anti-American DEI policies, and protect free speech,” Duffy stated when the directive was issued in April.

However, Judge McConnell disagreed, arguing that the conditions imposed by the DOT were unrelated to transportation issues. “Had Congress wished to make federal transportation funding contingent on cooperation with federal civil immigration enforcement, it could certainly have attempted to do so,” he wrote, rejecting the administration’s expansive interpretation of its authority.

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha, a Democrat, praised the ruling as a victory for the rights of citizens to travel safely and freely. “The ability of Rhode Islanders to travel on safe roads and bridges cannot hang on the political whims of one man,” Neronha said in a statement.

This ruling marks the second recent setback for the Trump administration, with Judge McConnell also ordering the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to utilize contingency funds to ensure that benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are not interrupted. The USDA pledged to provide partial payments to beneficiaries, as the court seeks to ensure the agency follows through on its commitments.

As this situation develops, it highlights the ongoing tensions between state and federal authority regarding immigration and funding. Observers will be watching closely for any further responses from the Trump administration and its supporters regarding these judicial rulings, as they continue to shape the political landscape ahead of the upcoming elections.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.