The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said that US President Donald Trump’s administration is freezing more than $10 billion in federal childcare and family assistance funding to California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, and New York due to alleged fraud and misuse.
Since taking office, the Trump administration has threatened to cut federal funding to states and organizations over a variety of issues, from diversity initiatives and pro-Palestinian university protests against US ally Israel’s assault on Gaza to alleged fraud in programs in Democratic-controlled states.
HHS stated on Tuesday that it informed the five states, all of which have Democratic governors, that its freeze extended to the $2.4 billion “Child Care and Development Fund” and the $7.35 billion “Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated, “Our children shouldn’t be political pawns in a battle that Donald Trump seems to have with blue state (Democratic states) governors, calling the action vindictive and “cruel.” JB Pritzker, the governor of Illinois, likewise referred to the action as wrong and cruel.
According to the office of California Governor Gavin Newsom, Newsom has prevented nearly $125 billion in fraud since assuming office. The Trump administration has targeted Minnesota in recent weeks, claiming that immigrants are committing widespread fraud in social care programs and the welfare system.
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