President Donald Trump signed a memorandum in an effort to withhold federal funding from some local governments, including the District, that allegedly “permit anarchy, violence, and destruction,” during the recent racial justice protests.
In Wednesday’s memo, the president is asking his administration’s agencies for a review of federal fundings given to Portland, Seattle, New York City, and DC, and whether they could be used more effectively.
“These funds have been collected from American taxpayers who entrusted their money to the Federal Government to serve our communities and our citizens,” Trump wrote.
“My Administration will not allow Federal tax dollars to fund cities that allow themselves to deteriorate into lawless zones. To ensure that Federal funds are neither unduly wasted nor spent in a manner that directly violates our Government’s promise to protect life, liberty, and property, it is imperative that the Federal Government review the use of Federal funds by jurisdictions that permit anarchy, violence, and destruction in America’s cities.”
Claiming that the cities in question have reckless policies that allow crime and lawlessness to grow, Trump said “For example, Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser allowed rioters and anarchists to engage in violence and destruction in late May and early June, requiring me to call in the National Guard to maintain law and order in the Nation’s Capital.”
The Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is required to issue guidance to the heads of executive departments and agencies for them to submit reports detailing all federal funds provided to Seattle, Portland, New York City, and DC within 14 days of the date of the memorandum.