Obama-appointed judge blocks Trump orders pulling funds from sanctuary cities
A federal judge in San Francisco has issued a ruling blocking the Trump administration from withholding federal funds from “sanctuary” jurisdictions, stating that such actions would be unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge William H. Orrick, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama, declared that President Trump’s executive orders directing Attorney General Pam Bondi and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to withhold federal funds from sanctuary cities and counties that do not comply with federal immigration law would violate the Constitution’s separation of powers principles and the Spending Clause.
Judge Orrick went on to explain that the executive orders also violate the Fifth Amendment due to their vagueness and violation of due process. Additionally, he stated that the directives to withhold federal funding from sanctuary jurisdictions infringe upon the Tenth Amendment by attempting to coerce local officials into enforcing federal immigration practices and laws.
In his ruling, Judge Orrick emphasized the likelihood of irreparable harm to the cities and counties affected by the threat of withheld funding. He highlighted the budgetary uncertainty, deprivation of constitutional rights, and erosion of trust between these jurisdictions and the communities they serve as significant issues.
As a result of the preliminary injunction granted by Judge Orrick, the Trump administration and all related parties are prohibited from taking any action to withhold, freeze, or condition federal funds from sanctuary jurisdictions. This decision marks a significant legal victory for these cities and counties, protecting their ability to receive crucial federal funding without the threat of coercion.
This story is still developing, so stay tuned for updates on this important legal battle. For more breaking news and political coverage, be sure to follow Danielle Wallace, a reporter at Fox News Digital, who can be reached at danielle.wallace@fox.com or on X: @danimwallace.
