Multnomah County Sues to Stop Trump From Slashing Millions in Homelessness and Transit Aid

MULTNOMAH COUNTY, Ore. — The Multnomah County Board joined 60 other local governments in their challenge against the Trump Administration’s federal grant restrictions associated with DEI and sanctuary policies on Thursday.

If the initiatives arising from President Donald Trump’s executive orders targeting threats to cut federal funding due to immigration and diversity, equity and inclusion policies fully come into effect- including cuts to homelessness and transit grants, Multnomah County stands to lose around $126 million in federal dollars. excluding any cuts to federal Medicaid health benefits that are set to take effect following the passage of Trump’s sweeping policy bill signed into law July 4.

Multnomah County joined the two-month-old local government lawsuit originating in King County, Washington.

The lawsuit challenges the Trump administration’s attempt to impose new conditions on homelessness and transit grants that have already been awarded and argues that the executive orders cancelling that funding is unconstitutional and violates federal law.

A temporary interdict by a federal judge in June blocked the Trump administration’s efforts, temporarily preventing the federal government from culling these grants while the case is under review.