A federal judge in California has halted the Trump administration’s effort to deny federal funding to sanctuary cities, claiming the move violates multiple provisions of the U.S. Constitution. The ruling could complicate efforts to pressure local jurisdictions into cooperating with federal immigration enforcement.
Key Facts:
- U.S. District Judge William H. Orrick ruled against the Trump administration’s executive order targeting sanctuary cities.
- Orrick, an Obama appointee, said the order violated the Constitution’s Spending Clause, the Tenth Amendment, and the Fifth Amendment.
- The judge claimed withholding funds would irreparably harm cities through budget uncertainty and strained public trust.
- The ruling issues a nationwide injunction preventing federal agencies from enforcing the funding cutoff.
- The case centers on Trump’s directive to Attorney General Pam Bondi and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to withhold funds from non-compliant jurisdictions.
The Rest of The Story:
Judge Orrick argued that the administration overstepped its authority by attempting to force local governments to enforce federal immigration law.
He wrote that the executive order was “unconstitutionally vague,” violated due process, and imposed conditions meant to coerce localities.
According to Orrick, the cities and counties challenging the policy showed that losing federal funding could disrupt public services and reduce trust between immigrant communities and local authorities.
The injunction blocks the administration from freezing or attaching conditions to any federal funding related to sanctuary status.
🚨 #BREAKING: Obama federal Judge William Orrick stops Trump from defunding sanctuary cities, which harbor and protect illegal aliens.
Yet again, a single leftist judge is dictating policy.
Specifically, protecting jurisdictions who harbor illegal alien invaders.
It must end. pic.twitter.com/L2sYyl1hHy
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 24, 2025
Commentary:
This ruling is yet another example of judicial activism standing in the way of lawful immigration enforcement.
A single federal judge has now placed the interests of sanctuary jurisdictions above the rule of law and federal authority.
Rather than holding local governments accountable for refusing to cooperate with national immigration policy, the court has granted them cover.
Sanctuary policies obstruct federal immigration enforcement and often result in criminal aliens being released back into American communities.
The Trump administration’s funding strategy was one of the few tools available to encourage compliance, and now that’s been taken off the table—at least for now.
The Constitution clearly gives Congress the power of the purse, but that doesn’t mean the executive branch is powerless to enforce national priorities.
When cities defy lawful immigration enforcement, they should not receive federal funds.
This decision warps the separation of powers doctrine to protect political agendas instead of national unity and legal order.
Moreover, it sets a dangerous precedent.
If local jurisdictions can pick and choose which federal laws to obey, the very foundation of a united republic begins to erode.
Federal law is not optional, and cities that ignore it should not be rewarded with taxpayer dollars.
We fully expect this decision to be overturned on appeal.
In the meantime, it sends a troubling message to the American public and illegal immigrants alike: defiance may pay off if you find the right judge.
The Bottom Line:
A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from denying funds to sanctuary cities, claiming it violates constitutional protections.
The ruling halts an important effort to hold local governments accountable for cooperating with immigration law.
While the legal battle is far from over, this decision empowers jurisdictions that defy federal authority and undermines national immigration enforcement efforts.
The courts are forcing the administration into a corner where more aggressive actions may soon be the only option left.
Read Next
– Tulsi Gabbard Criminally Refers Two Intel Officials to DOJ for Prosecution Over Leaks
– Appeals Court Issues Ruling on Blue State Gun Ban
– Top Senate Democrat Retires, Setting Off Bitter Primary Battle
– Idiot Scientists Set to Dim The Sun ‘Within Weeks’ to Stop Climate Change
– Chuck Schumer Just Got The Worst News of His Political Career