California Leads Lawsuit Over Trump’s $810 Million Funding Cuts

California and six other states have sued the Trump administration over its attempt to withhold roughly $810 million in federal funding already approved by Congress, escalating a legal battle over presidential authority and government spending.

The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, challenges the administration’s use of a controversial budget maneuver known as a “pocket rescission.” President Donald Trump moved last week to cancel funding for programs involving immigration, education, racial equity and other domestic initiatives shortly before the federal fiscal year ended.

A pocket rescission occurs when a president submits a request to cancel congressionally appropriated money so close to the fiscal-year deadline that the funds expire before lawmakers have sufficient time to act. The approach has faced criticism from lawmakers in both parties, with opponents arguing that it sidesteps Congress’ constitutional control over federal spending. The Government Accountability Office has also said appropriated funds cannot legally be withheld beyond their expiration under the circumstances.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who is leading the multistate lawsuit, argues that the Trump administration’s decision violates constitutional provisions governing separation of powers, appropriations and the legislative process.

“Just because the President doesn’t like a program doesn’t mean he can defund it,” Bonta said in announcing the legal challenge.

The Constitution gives Congress authority over federal appropriations, making the dispute another significant test of the limits of executive power over spending decisions.

The Trump administration has defended the targeted cuts, arguing that the affected programs supported illegal immigration, heightened racial divisions and promoted what it considers excessive environmental policies. The largest portion of the proposed reductions reportedly involves Health and Human Services programs serving refugees and asylum seekers.

The lawsuit seeks to prevent the administration from withholding the congressionally approved money and could help determine whether presidents can use pocket rescissions to cancel federal spending without receiving explicit approval from Congress.