Three Cities Deemed ‘Anarchist’ Will Take Legal Action Against Trump’s Threat To Cut Federal Funding

Topline

New York City will file a joint complaint with Seattle and Portland, Oregon on Thursday challenging the Trump administration’s threat to withhold federal funding from the three Democrat-led cities it has deemed “anarchist” over the handling of recent protests, the city’s lawyer announced at a press briefing Thursday alongside Mayor Bill de Blasio, who called the threat immoral, legally unacceptable and unconstitutional. 

Key Facts

Key Background

On September 2, Trump threatened to cut federal funding to several U.S. cities, all run by Democrats and located in blue states, claiming the leaders allow “anarchy, violence, and destruction.” Trump’s memo called out New York City, Seattle, Portland, and Washington, D.C. On September 21, the Department of Justice identified New York City, Portland and Seattle and claimed each city’s leaders permitted violence and looting and did not take reasonable measures to stop the criminal behavior. Under Trump’s direction, the list of jurisdictions will be updated in conjunction with the Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf and the Director of Office of Management and Budget Russell Vought.

Tangent

Trump has relied on a law and order ideology throughout his campaign. The goal of the law and order political strategy is to show voters that crime is a threat the politician can stop it, according to the Guardian. Trump has called “left-wing violent extremism” a threat to American lives. 

Chief Critic

“Our cities, and the millions of Americans who we represent, are not President Trump’s political pawns. We are confronting unprecedented challenges—fighting back a pandemic and economic devastation without another stimulus,” D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan and de Blasio said in a joint statement on September 3. “Now, instead of leadership from the White House, we are faced with new attacks that are unlawful, unconstitutional and will be undoubtedly defeated in court.”

Further Reading

Memorandum on Reviewing Funding to State and Local Government Recipients That Are Permitting Anarchy, Violence, and Destruction in American Cities (White House)

Department Of Justice Identifies New York City, Portland And Seattle As Jurisdictions Permitting Violence And Destruction Of Property (Department of Justice)