California Sues Trump Over $600M Public Health Grants Cut

Feb 13, 2026, 2:52 AM

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California is taking legal action against the Trump Administration in response to its plans to cut $600 million in public health funding from California and three other Democratic-led states. Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the lawsuit, which alleges that the funding cuts are based on "arbitrary political animus" and would cause irreparable harm to public health efforts in these states.

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently informed Congress of its decision to terminate Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) grants in California, Colorado, Illinois, and Minnesota. The attorneys general from these states filed a joint lawsuit in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, claiming that the cuts violate constitutional principles by imposing retroactive conditions on federal funding.

These grants are critical for various public health initiatives, including workforce development and disease monitoring. One key grant at risk is the Public Health Infrastructure Grant, which serves as a foundational support for public health systems nationwide. California is set to lose $130 million from this grant, which funds over 400 jobs in areas with insufficient healthcare workers, and also supports the modernization of laboratory data systems and urgent dental care for underserved children.

The lawsuit contends that the funding cuts will lead to layoffs and weaken the state's preparedness for public health emergencies. Additional grants under threat include $6 million earmarked for Los Angeles County to address health inequities and funding for HIV behavioral surveillance and social isolation initiatives among older LGBTQ adults.

The rationale provided by HHS for these cuts remains vague, with an agency spokesperson stating that the grants do not align with current agency priorities. Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi criticized this reasoning as a "transparent excuse" to punish states that do not align with the administration’s policies, emphasizing the potential detrimental effects on public health and safety.

California Democratic US Senator Adam Schiff described the cancellation of these grants as "dangerous" and "deliberate," asserting that the targeting of blue states by the Trump administration is both illegal and must cease. He expressed concern that such actions jeopardize the health and safety of millions of Americans.

Health officials in Los Angeles have also voiced their apprehensions, noting that the cuts would significantly compromise their ability to respond to natural disasters and infectious disease outbreaks. They warned that the cancellation of federal investments could make communities less healthy and less prosperous in the face of ongoing public health challenges.

This is not the first instance of the Trump administration targeting public health funding. Previous attempts to revoke billions in funding for states addressing public health threats, including COVID-19, were ruled unlawful by a federal judge in Rhode Island. The current lawsuit seeks to prevent the cuts from taking effect, arguing that they threaten critical public health infrastructure and services across the affected states.

As the legal battle unfolds, the implications of these funding cuts remain a pressing concern for public health advocates, who argue that such actions undermine the essential services that support the health of vulnerable populations across the nation. The outcome of the lawsuit could set a significant precedent regarding federal funding policies and their impact on state public health initiatives.

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