Houston,Texas — Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee today issued astrong rebuke of the Trump administration’s recently announced freeze onfederal financial assistance programs, a decision that threatens to jeopardizehundreds of millions of dollars in funding for critical programs in HarrisCounty. The Harris County Attorney—alongside attorneys general in states suchas New York and Illinois—is considering legal action in response.
“President Trump does not have the power to withhold funds that Congress has alreadyapproved. Both the U.S. Constitution and federal law are clear on that,” saidHarris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee. “This reckless action puts HarrisCounty at risk of losing hundreds of millions of dollars for essentialprograms—public safety, infrastructure, healthcare, and transportation. These programs aren’t political—they’re vital services that ourresidents rely on every day. Harris County families should not be victims ofthe Trump administration’s extremism. We are exploring legal options to ensurethat this unlawful overreach doesn’t harm the people of Harris County.”
The Trump administration’s Office of Management and Budget issued the directiveyesterday, targeting federal funding and grants to local governments across thecountry. While the White House has since attempted to downplay the scope of thefreeze, its potential impact remains significant.
TheHarris County Attorney’s Office is committed to ensuring that federal fundingremains available for programs that support the health, safety, and economicstability of the community.