Gov. Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul announced Tuesday Wisconsin is joining a coalition of 22 other states in a lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s executive order to freeze federal grants and loans.
The announcement comes after Evers sent a letter to Trump earlier Tuesday urging him to reconsider the order and delay implementation until providing additional information and clarification.
“This was a sweeping, reckless decision that has caused unnecessary chaos and panic in Wisconsin and across our country. Wisconsin’s kids, families, veterans, law enforcement, seniors and Wisconsinites in every corner of our state depend upon our federal tax dollars to support basic, everyday needs and services,” Evers wrote.
The lawsuit argues the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) policy violated the Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act by imposing a government-wide stop on spending without regard for laws and regulations in place. Additionally, it argues that the president cannot decide to unilaterally override laws and that OMB’s policy unconstitutionally violates Congress’ power to decide how federal funds are spent.
Wisconsin was joined by states including New York, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Vermont, Washington and the District of Columbia.
Anna Kleiber is the state news editor for The Daily Cardinal. She previously served as the arts editor. Anna has written in-depth on elections, legislative maps and campus news. She has interned with WisPolitics and Madison Magazine. Follow her on Twitter at @annakleiber03.
