California funding slashed? Trump administration plans federal grant cuts, escalate fight over policy disputes: Report

The US administration under Donald Trump is readying plans to withdraw substantial federal funding from California, with implementation potentially beginning Friday, according to various sources, quoted by CNN.

Federal departments have reportedly received instructions to identify specific grants that could be withheld from California. A whistleblower informed a Congressional committee that all research grants to the state would be terminated, as reported by one source with knowledge of the situation.

California, under Democratic leadership, has consistently been a focus of President Donald Trump's criticism.

Last month, Trump had indicated possible withdrawal of federal funds from California regarding a transgender athlete's sports participation, demonstrating his pattern of using funding to achieve policy objectives. The administration reduced flood prevention funding by $126.4 million, and Trump has repeatedly criticised the state's wildfire management earlier this year. There has been ongoing public disagreement between the President and California Governor Gavin Newsom.

The state's tertiary education sector faces significant impact from Trump's decision. California Representative Darrell Issa (GOP), while unaware of the impending grant cancellations, told CNN about recent meetings with university officials concerned about their funding stability. "Every university, every research organization, pretty much I saw them passing through here the last two days" Issa said.

In response to university representatives' concerns, Issa further told CNN, "We're going to advocate for essentials, but I sent them back and said come to me with specifics. Come to me with the grant and the justification, and I'll advocate for that. But I'm not going to advocate for no cuts; you just get more money every year. That's how we got in this problem."