Trump moves to cut federal funding for "death trap" sanctuary cities
By avagrace // 2025-04-15
Copy
 
  • President Donald Trump has vowed to strip federal funding from sanctuary cities, arguing they endanger Americans by shielding criminal undocumented immigrants.
  • Sanctuary cities (e.g., Chicago, New York) refuse ICE cooperation, while critics say sanctuary city policies undermine law enforcement and public safety.
  • Billions in federal grants – including law enforcement and social programs – could be cut, forcing cities to choose between sanctuary policies and essential services.
  • Courts previously blocked Trump’s efforts, but his administration believes it now has stronger legal grounds. Democrats pledge to resist, calling the move political.
  • The crackdown aligns with Trump's plans for mass deportations and stricter border enforcement, with Chicago as a key target for ICE raids.
President Donald Trump is taking decisive action against sanctuary cities, vowing to strip them of federal funding in a bold move to enforce immigration laws and protect American communities. In a fiery post on Truth Social, Trump declared an end to what he called "death traps" that shield criminal illegal aliens while putting law-abiding citizens at risk. "They protect the criminals, not the victims," the wrote. "They are disgracing our country and are being mocked all over the world." Sanctuary cities – jurisdictions that refuse to fully cooperate with federal immigration authorities – have long been a flashpoint in the national debate over border security. These cities including Chicago, New York and Los Angeles often refuse to honor detainer requests from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), allowing criminal illegal immigrants to avoid deportation. Critics including President Trump himself counter that these policies embolden criminals, undermine law enforcement and put American lives in danger. The president's executive action would target billions in federal grants that flow into sanctuary cities, potentially crippling budgets that rely on Washington’s support. While some funding is mandated by Congress – such as infrastructure projects – Trump's administration is exploring ways to cut discretionary funds, including law enforcement grants. Chicago, for example, received nearly $2.5 billion in federal funding last year, with a fraction spent on migrant care. The rest supports critical services like transit security, domestic violence programs and summer food initiatives. If Trump follows through, the Windy City could face massive budget shortfalls – forcing Mayor Brandon Johnson to choose between protecting illegal immigrants or maintaining essential services for citizens.

Legal showdown ahead

This isn’t the first time Trump has tried to defund sanctuary cities. During his first term, courts blocked similar efforts, ruling that the federal government couldn’t arbitrarily withhold funds without congressional approval. But with a reshaped judiciary and a renewed mandate, the administration believes it has a stronger legal footing this time. Democrats, predictably, are gearing up for a fight. Johnson, Chicago's mayor, has vowed to "vigorously defend" the city’s sanctuary policies. Meanwhile, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker dismissed the move as political theater. If successful, Trump's crackdown could force sanctuary cities to either comply with federal immigration enforcement or lose vital funding – leaving progressive leaders scrambling to explain why they prioritized illegal immigrants over their own constituents. This latest move is part of Trump’s sweeping immigration agenda, which includes mass deportations, stricter border security and penalties for cities that obstruct federal law. His administration has already signaled that Chicago will be "ground zero" for ICE raids, targeting criminal illegal aliens who have evaded deportation thanks to sanctuary policies. (Related: Trump to begin large-scale immigration raids in Chicago.) Meanwhile, House Republicans are escalating their oversight, summoning Democratic governors to testify about their refusal to cooperate with ICE. The message is clear: Sanctuary cities will no longer get a free pass to flout federal law. Trump's hardline stance reflects the frustration of millions of Americans who are tired of cities putting illegal immigrants ahead of public safety. By cutting off federal funds, he is forcing a reckoning. Will these sanctuary cities continue to defy the law, or will they finally prioritize the safety and well-being of their citizens? Watch JD Rucker discussing how Trump is seeking an executive order to end sanctuary cities in this clip. This video is from the JD Rucker channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

SANCTUARY OVERLOAD: Texas sends more buses full of ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS to Democrat-controlled sanctuary cities. Representative Tenney calls for defunding sanctuary cities and sanctuary CAMPUSES at U.S. universities. Sanctuary cities: The blood is on the left’s hands. Trump administration prepares crackdown on illegal immigrants in sanctuary cities. Democrat sanctuary cities are BUSING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS OUT of their areas. Sources include: YourNews.com CBSNews.com News.BloombergLaw.com Brighteon.com
Copy