Judge raps Trump over bid to freeze Gateway tunnel funding: ‘Flagrantly violates federal law’

A Manhattan federal judge permanently blocked the Trump administration Monday from withholding federal money meant for the $16 billion Gateway tunnel project underneath the Hudson River, saying an attempt to do so this past September was “flagrantly” illegal.

The 59-page order by Joe Biden-appointed US District Judge Jeanette Vargas makes permanent a temporary restraining order she granted Feb. 6, the same day construction came to a screeching halt due to lack of money.

A view of the Gateway Tunnel Project near Eleventh Avenue in NYC. Christopher Sadowski

President Trump’s cannot withhold federal funding from the Gateway project, a judge ruled. MediaPunch / BACKGRID

While the work resumed after a pause of nearly three weeks, the case dragged on, with the administration claiming that New Jersey and New York did not have standing to challenge the freeze.