Attorney General Joins Legal Action to Enforce Court Order Against Federal Funding Freeze

Coalition of 23 Attorneys General Seeks to Release Blocked FEMA Grants

New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin has joined a coalition of 23 attorneys general in filing a second motion for enforcement against the Trump administration’s freeze of federal emergency funding, which has continued despite multiple court orders mandating its release.

The lawsuit, originally filed on January 28, challenges the illegal suspension of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants designated for emergency preparedness and disaster response programs across multiple states. These grants support wildfire prevention, flood mitigation, cybersecurity, and emergency management efforts.

“The Trump Administration continues to illegally block FEMA funding that would go towards homeland security, fighting fires, and other critical safety needs for New Jerseyans,” said Attorney General Platkin. “The safety of our residents is not a game and should not be subject to partisan politics and retribution from the President and his appointees. We are taking action to protect our residents and to make clear that President Trump must respect the rule of law.”

Court Orders and Ongoing Legal Battle

• On January 31, a temporary restraining order (TRO) was granted, blocking the funding freeze.
• On February 8, the court ordered the administration to comply with the TRO and immediately release the frozen funds.
• Despite the court’s ruling, the funding remains inaccessible, causing delays in critical state programs and putting public safety at risk.

In response, Attorney General Platkin and his counterparts filed a second enforcement motion in the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island, seeking a stronger court order compelling the administration to release the funds or prove they have been unfrozen.

States Leading the Lawsuit

The lawsuit is led by the attorneys general of California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island. They are joined by attorneys general from:

• Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.

The coalition continues to push for immediate compliance with court rulings, emphasizing the urgent need for emergency preparedness funding in affected states.