Mercer Times

Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin has joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general in filing a second motion for enforcement against the Trump administration's freeze on federal funding. This action is part of an ongoing lawsuit addressing the administration's continued blockage of grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), despite multiple court orders. The funding freeze impacts emergency preparedness and recovery programs, including those for wildfires, floods, and cybersecurity threats.

"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," stated 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."

The initial lawsuit was filed on January 28, with a temporary restraining order (TRO) granted by the court on January 31 to halt the freeze's implementation until further notice. On February 7, motions for enforcement and a preliminary injunction were filed to stop the illegal freeze until case resolution. The court granted this first motion for enforcement on February 8, ordering compliance with the TRO.

Despite these legal measures, Attorney General Platkin reports that essential funding remains withheld by the administration, affecting state programs responsible for wildfire prevention response, cybersecurity, flood mitigation, and emergency management.

The second motion for enforcement seeks a court order requiring fund release unless evidence is provided that funds have been unfrozen. This legal effort is led by attorneys general from California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island. Additional states involved include Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Vermont Washington Wisconsin District Columbia.