The “abrupt” loss of $6.9 million in public safety funding from Washington will cut into emergency services and terrorism prevention efforts in Massachusetts, Gov. Maura Healey said Tuesday.
President Donald Trump and U.S Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem “just made every community in Massachusetts and in states across the country less safe,” Healey said in a statement lacerating the administration for cuts to previously awarded federal grant money.
“Our cities and towns use this grant funding to keep their residents safe from threats and support law enforcement,” Healey said.
The state had been in line to receive $22.2 million from the federal Homeland Security Grant Program. Officials learned Saturday that the amount had been cut by $6.9 million, leaving $15.3 million still flowing to the Bay State.
The reductions come as lawmakers on Capitol Hill and the Republican White House have failed to reach an accord that would prevent a federal government shutdown that’s now expected to begin shortly after midnight on Tuesday.
Trump “is playing politics with our public safety, and he’s using these funding cuts to punish those who disagree with him. He needs to restore the funding that we are owed,” Healey continued.
On Tuesday, state Attorney General Andrea J. Campbell joined a coalition of 12 attorneys general in an emergency lawsuit challenging the funding reductions.
Read More: Healey visits WMass, talks public safety wins thanks to state grants
“We will fight the Trump administration’s illegal attempt to strong-arm states into complying with its cruel immigration agenda by depriving them of lifesaving funding that helps prepare for and respond to disasters and emergencies,” Campbell said in a statement. “I won’t allow this Administration to play politics with the safety and security of our residents.”
The lawsuit came just days after Campbell and other state attorneys general secured a permanent injunction, along with a court ruling that found that DHS and the Federal Emergency Management Agency broke the law when the agencies made compliance with immigration enforcement efforts a condition to receive federal funds.