Summary:
A federal judge ruled Friday that the president violated a court order to stop freezing federal funds by withholding Federal Emergency Management Agency relief to at least 19 states. The judge said that the Trump administration seemed to be making a “covert” effort to punish states whose immigration practices differed from the White House.
U.S. District Judge John McConnell issued an injunction in March on behalf of 23 states that sued the federal government after the White House moved to pause aid to states, ruling that the move “fundamentally undermines the distinct constitutional roles of each branch of our government.”
On Friday, McConnell found that the Trump administration disregarded the court order, with at least 19 states, all of whom with Democratic attorneys general, presenting “undisputed evidence” that they were not receiving FEMA funds already appropriated by Congress.
Oregon, for example, still hasn’t received $120 million in funds meant for winter storms, flooding, landslides, wildfires, and flood mitigation. Hawaii said FEMA has yet to deliver $6 million to rebuild after wildfires devastated Maui in 2023.
The question is how will CA circumvent the tariffs? Reimburse them? But then I’ll be on the hook for the reimbursement as a CA taxpayer…and I’m still expected to pay federal taxes.
States control their own taxes and subsidies even if there are federal tariffs.
Probably just telling the state agents to no longer report to the IRS or the feds in general, reminder that the federal government and especially the IRS is heavily reliant on state and local officials. It’s entirely possible that the state could just give incentives to the port authorities that out weigh the risks of fucking over the feds.
Can’t levy tariffs if ya don’t know what’s going in or out. Also it’s a fine excuse to fuck over customs.