President Donald Trump’s administration acted illegally in blocking $7.6 billion for climate projects in democratically run states, a federal judge ruled Monday.
The grants were canceled after a review found the projects were not financially feasible and did not advance the country’s energy needs. The judge said this action violated the Constitution’s equal protection requirements and targeted states that voted for Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.
The grants were blocked in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington State.
“All the awardees (but one) were based in states whose majority of citizens casting votes did not support President Trump in the 2024 election,” U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta said in his ruling, ordering the funds to be restored….