Trump hits Democratic states and freezes billions of dollars. “Caught in the act”

President Donald Trump's administration is withholding more than $10 billion in federal child care and social services funds from Democratic-led states California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota and New York. The decision was justified by abuses and allocation of funds to people who are not US citizens.

Department (Ministry) of Health and Human Services (HHS) froze funding including approximately $7.35 billion from TANF (cash assistance program for the poorest families), nearly $2.4 billion from CCDF (child care subsidy fund for working parents) and $869 million from social grants. Official letters announcing the decision indicated suspicions of fraud.

Washington refers, among others, to: to findings from more than six years ago, when the HHS inspector general found that New York state improperly accounted for more than $24.7 million in child care subsidies.

As the New York Post noted, special attention has been paid to Minnesota. According to Pew Research Center data from 2023, approximately 130,000 people lived there. illegal immigrants (approx. 2% of the population) – that's 40 thousand more more than in 2019. It was also noted that the Somali community in this state exceeds 100,000. people.

According to the newspaper Federal prosecutors obtained dozens of convictions in the theft of approximately $250 million by Feeding Our Future. Journalist investigations also revealed that many of Minnesota's care centers, for which $111 million was allocated, did not actually function at all.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz acknowledged that the fraud problem is undermining public trust. He also blamed Republicans for playing “political games.” Donald Trump responded with harsh accusations.

– The corrupt governor of Minnesota… was caught red-handed… stealing tens of billions of taxpayers' dollars, the president wrote on social media platforms.

He called the alleged perpetrators “SCUM” and also criticized other Democratic governors.

Washington's decision was sharply condemned by, among others, New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.

“Using the power of government to harm Americans who need it most is immoral and inexcusable… I demand that President Trump unfreeze these funds and stop this brazen attack on our children,” the Democrat said.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom's team said the state is “committed to protecting the integrity of all payments.” She added that she treats any potential abuse with the utmost seriousness.

Andrzej Dobrowolski from New York (PAP)

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