Trump defies court orders, continues to block climate funding
President Donald Trump has halted billions in Biden-era climate and infrastructure funds, despite court rulings ordering their release.
Jake Bittle reports for Grist.
In short:
- Trump issued an executive order pausing spending from the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, affecting clean energy, public transit and pollution cleanup projects.
- A federal judge ruled the freeze illegal, but the Trump administration has yet to comply, leaving funds in limbo.
- Many grantees, including nonprofits, schools and small businesses, face financial strain, with some at risk of shutting down.
Key quote:
“The general rule is that once Congress appropriates and directs the expenditure of money, the executive has always been understood to be bound by that command.”
— Aziz Huq, constitutional law scholar, University of Chicago
Why this matters:
The withholding of climate and infrastructure funds could send ripples through communities across the country, stalling projects meant to advance clean energy, modernize water systems and protect against the effects of climate change. From solar panel installations in sun-soaked states to water treatment upgrades in regions grappling with pollution, the funding freeze has left local governments, businesses and environmental advocates in limbo. With billions in federal dollars tied up, experts warn that crucial climate initiatives could lose momentum at a time when urgency is paramount.
Read more: Trump halts billions in Biden-era infrastructure funding with executive order
