Fact Check: Twenty states sue Trump over threatened transportation funding cuts.

Fact Check: Twenty States Sue Trump Over Threatened Transportation Funding Cuts

What We Know

In May 2025, a coalition of twenty states led by Democratic attorneys general filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration. They claimed that the administration threatened to withhold billions of dollars in transportation and disaster-relief funding unless the states complied with certain immigration enforcement actions. This threat was articulated in letters sent by the Department of Transportation, stating that states must cooperate on immigration efforts or risk losing federally appropriated funds (PBS).

The states involved in the lawsuit include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, Wisconsin, and Vermont. The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Rhode Island, where U.S. District Judge John McConnell Jr. issued a ruling that blocked the administration from carrying out its threat before the lawsuit was fully resolved (Washington Post).

Analysis

The claim that twenty states sued Trump over threatened transportation funding cuts is supported by multiple credible sources. The Associated Press reported that the lawsuit was a response to the Trump administration's actions, which the states argued violated the U.S. Constitution by trying to impose conditions on federal funding that Congress had not authorized (PBS).

The Washington Post detailed how the lawsuit was prompted by letters from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, which indicated that states refusing to comply with the administration's immigration policies could face funding cuts. Judge McConnell's ruling highlighted the potential for "irreparable and continuing harm" to the states if such funding was withheld (Washington Post).

The reliability of these sources is high; both the Washington Post and PBS are established news organizations known for their journalistic integrity. They provide detailed accounts of the legal proceedings and the implications of the Trump administration's actions.

Conclusion

The claim that twenty states sued Trump over threatened transportation funding cuts is True. The evidence clearly shows that these states took legal action in response to the Trump administration's threats regarding federal funding tied to immigration enforcement. The lawsuit reflects ongoing tensions between state and federal authorities regarding immigration policy and federal funding conditions.

Fact Check: Twenty states sue Trump over threatened transportation funding cuts.