Attorney General Peter F. Neronha and attorneys general from 20 states today joined in challenging President Trump’s declaration of a national emergency and his attempt to divert funding appropriated by Congress for other purposes. The coalition alleges that the Trump Administration’s emergency declaration and diversion of funds is unconstitutional and otherwise unlawful. The group seeks to block the Trump Administration’s emergency declaration, the unauthorized construction of the border wall, and any illegal diversion of Congressionally-appropriated funds.
“After reviewing all the potential impacts to Rhode Island’s federal appropriations, I’ve determined that the President’s actions, which I believe are unlawful, put specific Rhode Island-related federal funding at risk,” said Attorney General Neronha. “It is for that reason that this Office has joined 19 of my Attorney General colleagues in filing today’s action.”
The coalition alleges that the Trump Administration’s action exceeds the power of the executive office, violates the U.S. Constitution and federal statutes, and would illegally and unconstitutionally divert federal funds appropriated by Congress for other purposes. The suit seeks declaratory and injunctive relief to block the emergency declaration, the construction of the wall, and any illegal diversion of congressionally-appropriated funds.
The coalition, led by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, includes the attorneys general of Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawai’i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
