California, L.A. brace for Trump’s new threats to cut funds over immigration stance

WASHINGTON- State and local officials are once again on the defensive after President Trump on Wednesday renewed his threats to withdraw federal dollars from “sanctuary” jurisdictions such as California and Los Angeles, which have long opposed cooperation with immigration enforcement agencies.

The ultimatum, laid out in an early morning Truth Social article, echoes sweeping statements the president made Tuesday at the Detroit Economic Club, putting billions of dollars in funding for health care, education and transportation at stake.

“Starting February 1, the federal government will no longer make any payments to states for their corrupt crime shelters, known as sanctuary cities. All they do is breed crime and violence. If states want them, they will have to pay for them,” he said.

The U.S. government will provide $175 billion to California this fiscal year, about a third of the state’s total spending plan for 2025-2026, according to state budget documents.

Last year, the U.S. Department of Justice created a list of dozens of states and local governments identified as “sanctuary” jurisdictions, based on policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration law enforcement.

These policies generally do not prevent federal authorities from taking action on immigration, but restrict how local resources can be used.

California Department of Justice officials said courts have repeatedly ruled against the president on the issue. most recently in Augustwhen a judge ruled that the federal government cannot refuse funding to Los Angeles and 30 other cities because of policies that limit immigration enforcement cooperation.

The ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge William Orrick, extends an earlier injunction that found Trump’s efforts to cut federal funding were likely unconstitutional and violated the separation of powers doctrine.

But at a hearing in December, a panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals indicated it might overturn the injunction, with judges questioning whether the administration’s latest orders actually required agencies to cut funding in a way that exceeds their authority.

A final decision on the appeal is awaited.

California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta’s office said in a statement Wednesday that the substance of the White House’s threats was unclear.

“Even though the details are scarce, we will have to examine what the president is actually doing,” Bonta said. “We remain prepared to take the necessary actions to protect our state and enforce the law.”

Bonta also defeated the administration over its attempts to impose conditions on illegal immigration enforcement on transportation, homeland security and funding for the Victims of Crime Act.

On Tuesday, he announced a multi-state challenge to Trump’s plans to freeze $10 billion in federal funding for child care and social services, amid unsubstantiated allegations that the state was “unlawfully providing benefits to illegal aliens.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom took a moment to build on the state’s winning legal record.

“Please pray for the President as he battles cognitive decline. He has already forgotten that he tried this before – repeatedly – ​​and we sued him and won,” Newsom said in a statement Wednesday.

Although the White House would not comment on the specific legal framework or dollar amount of this wave of budget cuts, spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said Wednesday that sanctuary cities are “incredibly dangerous” and endanger law-abiding Americans.

She added that the Trump administration was considering “a variety of legal options” to implement the policy.

The issue of executive overreach is also at the forefront for Senate Democrats, who are challenging the president over military action in Venezuela.

“Let me be clear: Congress – not the White House and not Donald Trump – holds the power of the purse,” said Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.).

City of Los Angeles Atty. Hydee Feldstein Soto confirmed the city will take legal action to protect access to federal dollars.

Mayor Karen Bass said she plans to work with partners at all levels of government to ensure Angelenos continue to receive government services.

“Decent, hard-working Americans should not have to pay the price for the president’s continued political attack on blue states and cities,” she said in a statement.