Federal judge blocks Trump executive order holding back funds to sanctuary cities

In a blow to efforts by President Donald Trump to crack down on jurisdictions that protect immigrants illegally in the United States, a federal judge in California has issued a nationwide injunction against a plan to withhold federal dollars going to sanctuary cities, dealing the White House another legal setback on a Trump executive action.

"The threat is unconstitutionally coercive," wrote federal judge William Orrick, who ruled that the Executive had overstepped his authority with this order.

“The Constitution vests the spending powers in Congress, not the President, so the Order cannot constitutionally place new conditions on federal funds,”

WSBTV