Seattle protesters at a rally in July. (Getty Images)
President Joe Biden issued an executive order Wednesday, overturning the classification the “anarchist jurisdiction” the Trump administration had imposed on Seattle, Portland and New York in 2020.
Local leaders are reacting to the Trump plan to withdraw federal funds from Seattle
The Trump Justice Department had attempted to conditionally distribute or withhold federal funds in these cities, alleging that their state and local leaders had “prevented their own law enforcement and their agencies from doing their job.” This came in response to a series of clashes between protesters and police officers during the summer of 2020, in response to the death of George Floyd.
Seattle, New York City and Portland subsequently filed a joint lawsuit against the DOJ for this classification as “anarchist jurisdiction,” calling it an “illegal abuse of federal power.” The then head of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, Russ Vought, justified the decision at the time by stating that the funding Trump intended to withhold was part of the “discretionary grant programs” and, as such, did not be specifically assigned by Congress to cities. with Seattle.
This lawsuit will no longer move forward after Biden’s decision to rescind his predecessor’s order on Wednesday.
“Our coalition’s comprehensive complaint achieved what it set out to do: stop the Trump Administration’s effort,” Seattle prosecutor Pete Holmes said. “A small part of me would enjoy seeing our unfortunate former president lose in our courts again, but I much prefer to see President Biden undo the will of his predecessor with a stroke of the pen. I am glad to make this nonsense disappear from the covers. , as my office has no litigation shortcomings to manage, from the eviction moratorium to risk pay for frontline workers. “
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan also responded Wednesday, saying the city “should no longer face the madness of a president who rules via Twitter or political threats.”
“President Trump’s baseless demands directed our city to defend immigrants, civil rights and democracy while dividing our country with hatred,” Durkan said in a written statement. “Instead of trying to retain all of Seattle’s federal funding like the previous administration, President Biden has proposed more support to cities to help our residents and small businesses at this unprecedented time.”