Transportation Secretary Duffy threatens to cut funding from ‘rogue’ states and cities that impede ICE deportations

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy threatened to cut funding from “rogue state actors” that do not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement efforts after President Trump announced a crackdown on Democrat-run big cities and other jurisdictions with so-called “sanctuary” policies.

Duffy had issued the warning after Trump declared Sunday that his team will embark upon the “single largest Mass Deportation Program in History” with a particular emphasis on Los Angeles, Chicago, New York and other big cities.

“The USDOT [Department of Transportation] will NOT fund rogue state actors who refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement,” Duffy warned on X.

“And to cities that stand by while rioters destroy transportation infrastructure — don’t expect a red cent from DOT, either. Follow the law, or forfeit the funding,” the Transportation secretary added.

Trump has also repeatedly warned sanctuary states — which limit their cooperation with the feds on immigration issues — that his team was looking to withhold federal funding unless they change course.

Broadly speaking, the Trump administration has threatened to cut off various types of funding from states like Maine, California and elsewhere over policy disagreements such as whether transgender athletes should be allowed to compete in women’s sports.

This has led to threats from some like California’s Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom dangling the possibility of a federal tax boycott in retaliation.

Uncle Sam provides significant resources to states for infrastructure. In 2023, the feds spent some $44.8 billion on infrastructure, including $81.5 billion worth of transfers to states. The federal government also provides emergency relief in the event of natural disasters.

Over recent weeks, progressive organizations have helped organize protests across the country against the Trump administration’s deportation efforts. Earlier this month, protesting over immigration enforcement in Los Angeles devolved into rioting.

Trump quickly moved to federalize the California National Guard in order to contain the chaos, but was met with fierce resistance from local officials such as Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D).

Last week, Trump signaled that he was going to dial down immigration enforcement in the service and farming sectors. On Sunday, he made clear that he intends to mount a big push in big cities.

“ICE Officers are herewith ordered, by notice of this TRUTH, to do all in their power to achieve the very important goal of delivering the single largest Mass Deportation Program in History,” the president decreed on Truth Social.

“We must expand efforts to detain and deport Illegal Aliens in America’s largest Cities, such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, where Millions upon Millions of Illegal Aliens reside,” he went on. “These, and other such Cities, are the core of the Democrat Power Center, where they use Illegal Aliens to expand their Voter Base.”

Trump’s announcement quickly prompted backlash from top Dem pols.

“His plan is clear: Incite violence and chaos in blue states, have an excuse to militarize our cities, demonize his opponents, keep breaking the law and consolidate power. It’s illegal and we will not let it stand,” Newsom fumed on X.

Last week, the GOP-led House Oversight Committee held a hearing in which lawmakers grilled Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D), and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) over their respective states’ sanctuary policies.