The Trump administration has announced the cancellation of nearly $8 billion in funding for climate-related projects, predominantly affecting states governed by Democrats. Russell Vought, the head of Trump’s Office of Management and Budget, later defended this decision. He pointed out the particularly high impact the affected projects are in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Vermont and Washington state.
This significant funding cut is part of a broader strategy by the administration to halt what Vought termed “Green New Scam funding.” He is doubling down on the idea that these dollars were meant to go towards projects that fit the climate agenda of the political left.
“Nearly $8 billion in Green New Scam funding to fuel the Left’s climate agenda is being cancelled,” – Russell Vought
The cancellation comes amid a highly charged political environment. After the 2024 elections, Donald Trump lost Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania back to Kamala Harris. This loss sharpened his administration’s interest in states led by political enemies. Now, the Trump administration has chosen to freeze $18 billion worth of their federal funding. This ruling has immediate and serious effects on two very large infrastructure projects currently in development in New York City.
The country is wrestling with serious political divides. In answer, Trump has promised mass firings should the administration fail to prevent the government from being shut down. Even now, his administration is still under the microscope as it works to balance attention to domestic policies with international priorities. A few weeks ago, Trump took a shot at Zohran Mamdani. This followed New York mayoral candidate Eric Adams dropping out of the race and proposing a ceasefire plan to end the Gaza conflict between Israel and Hamas.
This time, he was fanning the flames just by posting a cartoon image on social media. In that same cartoon, he draws himself shooting Federal Reserve Chief Jerome Powell, underscoring his contentious dynamic with many other governmental entities.