Judge Halts Trump’s $4B Disaster Fund Grab
Court blocks reallocation of vital disaster mitigation funds.
A federal judge in Boston issued a preliminary injunction , stopping the Trump administration from redirecting $4 billion allocated for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, which strengthens infrastructure against natural disasters.
The ruling by U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns came in response to a lawsuit from 20 Democratic-led states, including California, New York, and Washington, arguing that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) lacks authority to terminate or divert funds from the program, which Congress designated for disaster prevention.
The BRIC program supports critical projects like reinforcing electrical grids, building flood-protection levees, and relocating at-risk water treatment facilities, often in rural areas. The states’ lawsuit contends that FEMA’s initial announcement in April to end the program, followed by a claim it was only “evaluating” it, threatens to cancel or delay essential projects.
Judge Stearns noted FEMA’s actions suggested a decision to terminate was already in motion, risking a “fait accompli.” The states emphasized that proactive disaster mitigation saves lives, reduces injuries, protects property, and cuts post-disaster costs.
Government lawyer Nicole O’Connor argued FEMA should have flexibility to use the funds for both recovery and prevention. However, the states assert that redirecting Congressionally allocated funds violates the Constitution. FEMA warned that restricting its access to the funds could impair its ability to respond to major disasters.
The lawsuit continues, with the injunction preserving the program’s funding for now, safeguarding communities from escalating climate-driven threats.
Also Read: Federal Judge Slams Trump’s Immigration Raids: Halts Unlawful Arrests in California!
Also Read: Israel’s Military Halts Fighting in Gaza to Combat Starvation Crisis!
