OLYMPIA, WA – In a bold legal and political move, Washington State officials, led by Governor Bob Ferguson and Attorney General Nick Brown, are pushing back against the Trump administration over federal funding freezes and controversial policy changes.
At his first major press conference in Olympia, Governor Ferguson stood with state agency leaders, denouncing what he called unconstitutional federal overreach and vowing to defend Washington’s progressive policies.
Federal Funding Freeze: $162 Million at Stake
Washington State is currently missing out on $162 million in federal funding due to Trump administration freezes. The funding breakdown includes:
- $156 million for a solar power initiative, crucial for the state’s clean energy transition.
- Additional federal funds supporting state programs and infrastructure.
Ferguson warned that these funding cuts could jeopardize local projects, state jobs, and critical services, as they account for a third of the state’s budget.
Attorney General Brown’s Legal Battle Against Trump Administration
Filing Lawsuits Over Federal Overreach
Attorney General Nick Brown delivered a direct message to President Trump:
“Follow the damn law.”
Brown announced that Washington is joining a lawsuit against the Trump administration for:
Delegating excessive power to Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, which has aggressively scaled back federal agencies.
Efforts to curtail birthright citizenship, which a judge has already rebuked in an early ruling.
Denying federal funding for gender-affirming care for transgender youth, a case scheduled for a federal court hearing in Seattle.
Brown emphasized that these legal battles are essential to protect the constitutional rights of Washington residents.
State Protections for Vulnerable Communities
New Policies to Safeguard Residents
Governor Ferguson highlighted several state initiatives aimed at protecting marginalized communities, including:
- Expedited process for changing sex designations on birth certificates.
- Defending the Keep Washington Working Act, a 2019 law that limits local law enforcement involvement in immigration enforcement.
Despite pressure to completely disengage from federal immigration authorities, Ferguson maintained a balanced approach, arguing that Washington must navigate both state and federal laws responsibly.
As Washington State clashes with the Trump administration, Governor Ferguson and Attorney General Brown are leading legal and policy efforts to challenge federal overreach, secure withheld funding, and protect state policies.
With lawsuits pending and federal funding frozen, Washington remains at the forefront of the resistance against controversial federal policies affecting civil rights, immigration, and public funding.
Further legal developments and policy changes will continue to unfold.