Shapiro latest Democrat suing ‘unconstitutional’ Trump admin
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is taking a stand against President Donald Trump’s administration, filing a lawsuit on Thursday to unfreeze federal funds that have been held back. This move makes Pennsylvania one of over 24 states and the District of Columbia involved in legal battles challenging the alleged “unconstitutional” freeze on federal funding by the Trump administration.
The White House’s Office of Management and Budget issued a directive on January 27 to halt federal funding, leaving Pennsylvania state agencies unable to access $1.2 billion in federal funds with an additional $900 million awaiting federal review. Governor Shapiro is seeking to release these frozen funds to support various crucial projects in the state.
The lawsuit specifically names key figures in the administration, including Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, and OMB Director Russell Vought. Shapiro argues that the federal government made a commitment to provide billions of dollars in funding to Pennsylvania for essential needs such as public health, energy cost reduction, clean drinking water, and job creation in rural communities. By freezing these funds, the Trump administration is essentially breaking a contract with the state.
In response, the Trump administration has dismissed the legal challenges as attempts to undermine the will of the American people, labeling them as part of the “Left’s resistance.” White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Harrison Fields characterized the lawsuits as an extension of opposition to President Trump’s agenda.
Governor Shapiro has emphasized the impact of the funding freeze on Pennsylvania’s projects, including efforts to reclaim abandoned mine land, plug orphan wells, and reduce consumer costs. The state is accruing debt on federally approved initiatives, putting additional strain on resources.
Despite federal judges issuing temporary restraining orders in states with ongoing litigation against the administration, Pennsylvania was not directly impacted by the order releasing funds. As a result, Shapiro has taken legal action to protect the state’s interests and ensure access to the funds approved by Congress.
Support for Shapiro’s lawsuit has been widespread, with Democratic groups and organizations like Evergreen Action praising his efforts to stand up for Pennsylvanians and push for the release of critical funds. The ongoing legal battle underscores the importance of federal funding for states and the need to uphold contractual commitments made by the government.
As the case unfolds, Governor Shapiro remains committed to fighting for Pennsylvania’s access to federal funds and holding the Trump administration accountable for the freeze. The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for the state’s ability to carry out essential projects and support its residents.
