Colorado AG Phil Weiser on Trump Administration's Withholding of Education Funds

Constitutional Challenge to Funding Withholding

• 🏛️ Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser asserts that the Trump administration is attempting to subvert the constitutional separation of powers by withholding congressionally mandated education funds.
• ⚖️ He emphasizes that the budgetary power rests with Congress, not the executive branch, which cannot unilaterally decide to withhold appropriated funds.
• 🚫 The administration's claim of a new power to review and hold funds is described as a direct affront to separation of powers with no legal basis.

Long-Term Concerns and Legal Avenues

• 📉 Weiser highlights concerns that even if current withheld funds are recovered, the administration may seek similar cuts in the upcoming federal fiscal year budget.
• 📜 The administration's actions are characterized as an abuse of power, with funds being held in a legal limbo without using established processes like congressional recision.
• ➡️ The primary challenge is the administration ignoring the Constitution and seeking to act with absolute power, which the state will fight in court.
• 🎯 The goal is to check the administration's abuse of power and illegal actions regarding federal funding.