preCharge News POLITICS — Twenty Democratic-led states have filed two federal lawsuits against the Trump administration, accusing it of attempting to strong-arm them into adopting controversial immigration policies by threatening to withhold billions in transportation and disaster-relief funds.

The Core of the Legal Battle

States Say Trump Overstepped His Authority

The lawsuits, filed Tuesday, argue that the administration’s actions violate the U.S. Constitution, which grants Congress, not the president, the power to control federal spending. The legal action was spearheaded by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who said the administration is using these funds as leverage to force states into enforcing federal immigration laws.

“President Donald Trump can’t use these funds as a bargaining chip as his way of ensuring states abide by his preferred policies,” Bonta said at a press conference.

According to the complaints, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy have threatened to cut off funding unless states cooperate with Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda.

A Growing Political Showdown

States Push Back Against Federal Pressure

On April 24, states received letters from the Department of Transportation stating that to keep their federal funding, they must cooperate on immigration enforcement and eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin criticized the timing, pointing to ongoing radar outages and operational issues at Newark’s airport.

“I wish the administration would stop playing politics with people’s lives,” Platkin said. “I wish Secretary Duffy would do his damn job, which is to make sure planes land on time, not to direct immigration enforcement.”

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul also blasted the administration’s move, calling the funds “quite literally, lifesaving.”

“This critical funding has nothing to do with immigration, and the administration’s attempts to hold it hostage is unconstitutional and outrageous,” Raoul said.

The Legal Case Against the Trump Administration

States Call the Funding Threats Unconstitutional

The lawsuits claim that Trump’s demands amount to “creeping authoritarianism,” according to Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha, who said his state has already filed over a dozen suits against the administration.

The complaints argue that Trump’s strategy to withhold funds violates the 10th Amendment, which limits federal power over states, and the Spending Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which restricts the conditions Congress can impose on federal grants.

The States’ Defense of Local Control

Law Enforcement and Community Impact

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison emphasized the local impact, arguing that these funds support critical infrastructure and public safety.

“It is both wrong and unlawful for the Trump administration to demand Minnesota law enforcement step away from their patrols, investigations, and community engagement work to instead enforce federal immigration law,” Ellison said.

Political Tensions Set to Escalate

Lawsuits Add to Growing Legal Challenges for Trump

This legal fight is just the latest in a series of battles between Democratic-led states and the Trump administration. California alone has filed more than 20 lawsuits, ranging from challenges to health care cuts to disputes over federal employee firings.

“What we’re seeing is a creeping authoritarianism,” Neronha said. “This is about much more than just funding. It’s about the rule of law.”

Want to earn some extra money on the side? Buy PCPi Coin or Subscribe to VIP and get dividens monthly.

____
Associated Press, CNBC News, Fox News, and preCharge News contributed to this report.