Four Democratic States Sue Trump Administration Over $600 Million Public Health Funding Cut

California, Colorado, Illinois, and Minnesota have filed a lawsuit in federal court in Chicago seeking to block the Trump administration from terminating $600 million in public health funding. In their complaint, the Democratic-led states argue that the cuts amount to “devastating funding” to essential public health infrastructure and are driven by political animus and disagreements over unrelated issues such as federal immigration enforcement.

The funding, administered through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, supports programs that monitor health threats, respond to disease outbreaks, and prepare for public health emergencies, including HIV prevention and surveillance initiatives. A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said earlier that the grants were being terminated because they do not align with the agency’s priorities, though the department has not yet responded directly to the lawsuit.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly sought to withhold federal funds from Democratic-led states, actions that have often faced legal challenges and temporary blocks by lower courts. California Attorney General Rob Bonta criticized the move, saying the administration was attempting to use federal funding to compel states to follow its policy agenda, adding that similar efforts in the past have failed and are expected to do so again.

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