Newsom: Trump’s funding termination of California high-speed-rail reeks of politics
The Trump administration pulled over $4 billion from California’s high speed rail project. Governor Newsom described this move as something that reeked of politics… Aimed at punishing California. Newsom claimed that this move would put jobs and livelihoods “on the line”. Newsom is not taking this “sitting down”; California intends to sue the federal government to stop this move.
From Fox News:
California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a lawsuit against the Trump administration following the cancellation of more than $4 billion in federal funds for the state’s high-speed rail project.
“Trump’s termination of federal grants for California high-speed rail reeks of politics. It’s yet another political stunt to punish California,” Newsom stated in a news release.
“In reality, this is just a heartless attack on the Central Valley that will put real jobs and livelihoods on the line. We’re suing to stop Trump from derailing America’s only high-speed rail actively under construction,” the governor continued.
The lawsuit alleges the termination was driven by “petty, political retribution” rather than objective concerns, targeting California due to President Donald Trump’s hostility toward the state.
While the lawsuit characterizes the decision as “petty, political retribution,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy justified the termination of $4 billion in unspent federal funding by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), citing 16 years of failure, no completed high-speed track, and escalating costs.
Duffy declared the project, dubbed the “train to nowhere,” a mismanaged and over-budget “boondoggle.”
“This is California’s fault. Governor Newsom and the complicit Democrats have enabled this waste for years. Federal dollars are not a blank check — they come with a promise to deliver results,” Duffy said in a statement.
Additional Reading:
Price, S. (2025, July 18). California sues over billions lost in high-speed rail funds as Newsom battles Trump administration. Fox News. Link.
Category: Democrats, Donald Trump, Society
