Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s ‘Lawless’ Transportation Funding Order

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

“None of the statutes cited by DOT expressly afford it the kind of sweeping authority it claims,” wrote McConnell, emphasizing that the conditions imposed were unrelated to transportation issues. He added, “The Constitution demands the court set aside this lawless behavior,” highlighting the urgency of the situation.

This ruling arises from a lawsuit filed by a coalition of 20 states, led by California, in May. They challenged Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy‘s directive, which aimed to link federal funding to compliance with immigration enforcement. Duffy had previously stated, “Federal grants come with a clear obligation to adhere to federal laws,” asserting that the directive was necessary to enforce immigration rules and protect free speech.

However, Judge McConnell found that the requirements were not justifiable under the law and criticized the administration’s approach as disconnected from the intended purpose of the funding. “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 remarked.

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha commended the ruling, calling it a victory for citizens. “The ability of Rhode Islanders to travel on safe roads and bridges cannot hang on the political whims of one man,” he stated, reflecting the public sentiment regarding the implications of the ruling.

This decision marks the second setback for the Trump administration in recent days. Just last Friday, McConnell ordered the U.S. Department of Agriculture to utilize contingency funds to avert a disruption in benefits for households reliant on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The USDA has since confirmed it will provide partial payments to beneficiaries, responding to concerns raised after Trump suggested funding would not resume until the government reopened.

As these legal battles unfold, the implications for transportation funding and immigration policies continue to develop. Observers are urged to stay tuned as additional details emerge regarding the administration’s next steps in addressing these significant legal challenges.