SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Diya TV) — California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Thursday night that the state is suing the Trump administration over a sweeping freeze on federal child care and family assistance funds, calling the move unlawful and politically motivated. Bonta said the administration froze billions of dollars without evidence, harming low-income families and children across several Democratic-led states. He said California alone stands to lose about $5 billion if the freeze remains in place.
“This is Trump with no basis and no facts,” Bonta said during a rare evening press conference at the state Capitol.
The lawsuit targets the Trump administration’s decision to freeze roughly $10 billion in federal funding meant for social safety net programs. The affected programs include Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the Child Care and Development Fund, and the Social Services Block Grant. California joined New York, Colorado, Illinois, and Minnesota in the legal action. All five states have Democratic leadership. Bonta said the funding freeze directly impacts essential services that support working families, children, and vulnerable residents.
“These are not abstract dollars,” Bonta said. “They are funds that help families pay for child care, keep food on the table, and maintain basic stability.”
The Trump administration claims it froze the funds due to alleged waste, fraud, and misuse of taxpayer money in the five states. Federal officials have not publicly released evidence supporting those claims. Bonta rejected the administration’s justification. He said his office has not received any specific findings, audits, or data that show fraud within California’s programs.
“There is a process for concerns about waste, fraud, and abuse,” Bonta said. “You ask for information first. You investigate. You do not cut off funding and then go looking for evidence.”
He added that the administration requested program information only after it froze the money, a move he called backwards and unfair.
The lawsuit argues that the funding freeze violates several federal laws and constitutional principles. Bonta said the administration acted outside its authority by blocking money that Congress already approved.
According to the complaint, the freeze violates the Administrative Procedure Act by bypassing required rulemaking and justification. It also violates the separation of powers by allowing the executive branch to override congressional spending decisions. Bonta’s office also claims the move breaches the U.S. Constitution’s Appropriations Clause and Spending Clause, which give Congress control over federal spending.
“The president does not have the power to pick and choose which states receive funds passed by Congress,” Bonta said.
State officials warn that the funding freeze could disrupt child care centers, family assistance programs, and social services across California. Providers rely on consistent federal funding to operate programs that serve millions of residents. Bonta said delays or cuts could force child care centers to reduce hours, raise costs, or close altogether. Families who depend on subsidies may struggle to work or keep jobs.
“These programs help parents stay in the workforce,” Bonta said. “They help children stay safe and supported.”
This lawsuit marks California’s 53rd legal challenge against the Trump administration in less than a year, according to Bonta’s office. The state has frequently sued over immigration, environmental rules, health care, and federal spending decisions.
Bonta said the number of lawsuits reflects repeated federal overreach rather than political ambition.
“When the law gets broken, we will act,” he said.
The Trump administration has not yet responded publicly to the lawsuit. Legal experts say the case could test the limits of executive authority over congressionally approved funds.
The states are asking the court to block the funding freeze and restore access to the money immediately. Bonta said time matters because families and service providers face uncertainty with each passing day.
“This is about the rule of law,” he said. “And it is about protecting families who rely on these programs to survive.”
The case now moves to federal court, where judges will decide whether the administration can legally withhold billions in child care and family assistance funding.
