President Donald Trump's administration on Wednesday took action to freeze $26 billion in funding for Democrats in an effort to put pressure on the government after the US government shutdown began.
This includes freezing $18 billion in funds that were supposed to be channeled to major public infrastructure projects in New York such as the Hudson Tunnel and the Second Street Subway extension, as a show of force during the government shutdown.
The move was announced by the White House as part of a political pressure strategy against Democratic-led states, arguing that the funds may support the "DEI" (diversity, equity, inclusion) principles that they criticize as unconstitutional.
The freeze directly impacts important long-planned transit projects, causing construction to be temporarily halted or compensation payments to be canceled that have not yet been processed.
The move has angered Democratic leaders who say the move is political ransom and attacks the ability of states like New York to provide critical public services.
Overall, this freeze of funds shows that the government shutdown is now being used not just as a spending debate, but also as a political tool to pressure opponents and maintain influence over the distribution of financial power.
