Gov. Shapiro Launches Legal Assault on Trump Administration

UPDATE: Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is aggressively challenging the Trump administration with a series of lawsuits aimed at protecting federal funding for critical state programs. This comes amid ongoing efforts to reshape the federal landscape under President Donald Trump.

In a bold legal strategy, Shapiro has filed or joined over a dozen lawsuits this year, asserting that Trump’s actions threaten essential state resources. As he eyes a potential presidential bid in 2028, these legal battles mark a significant pushback against federal policies affecting Pennsylvania.

On February 13, Shapiro initiated his first major lawsuit against the Trump administration after the president issued an executive order freezing access to billions of dollars in federal grant money. This included a staggering $2.1 billion earmarked for environmental programs in Pennsylvania. Shapiro quickly took action, suing five federal agencies in the Eastern District Court of Pennsylvania. Following the release of these funds, he proudly claimed victory, demonstrating his commitment to combatting federal overreach.

More recently, on April 1, Shapiro joined a coalition of states in a lawsuit targeting the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This legal action challenges the cancellation of public health grants aimed at combating infectious diseases, which included $500 million allocated to Pennsylvania. A federal judge ruled in May that the funds must be released, and a response is due from the defendants by October 28.

On April 10, Shapiro participated in another multistate lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education, contesting the withdrawal of funding critical for student mental health and technological resources post-pandemic. A federal judge in New York has since reinstated $185 million for 116 Pennsylvania school districts, with negotiations ongoing.

In addition to education funding, Shapiro’s legal battles extend to the AmeriCorps program, where he joined over two dozen states suing the Corporation for National and Community Service over the cancellation of $6 million meant for Pennsylvania volunteers. A Maryland federal judge ruled in June that those funds must be returned, with the case still pending.

Shapiro’s legal initiatives also address broader financial implications for the state. On June 4, he filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the return of over $13 million in funding for farmers supplying food banks. This case is ongoing, with the federal agency seeking to dismiss the lawsuit.

In a significant development, on June 24, Shapiro aligned with 19 other states to challenge the Trump administration’s unilateral authority to cancel previously awarded federal grants. In an August ruling, the court sided with the states, affirming that Trump could not unilaterally rescind these funds.

Further complicating matters, Shapiro is involved in ongoing litigation regarding the cancellation of disaster relief funds, alongside efforts to protect health care access amid changes to the Affordable Care Act. These lawsuits reflect the heightened stakes as Shapiro positions himself as a key player in the fight against federal policies seen as detrimental to state welfare.

With the Trump administration facing increasing legal challenges from multiple fronts, Shapiro’s actions underscore a concerted effort among Democratic leaders nationwide to protect state interests. As these cases progress, the outcomes could have lasting implications for Pennsylvania and beyond.

What’s Next: As Shapiro continues to pursue these lawsuits, the political landscape will be closely watched, especially with the upcoming responses due in October. Stakeholders across Pennsylvania are urged to stay informed as these pivotal legal battles unfold.