Four States Sue Trump Administration Over Public Health Funding Cuts

California, Colorado, Illinois, and Minnesota file lawsuit to block $600 million in grant terminations.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Four Democratic-led states - California, Colorado, Illinois, and Minnesota - have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, seeking to block the termination of $600 million in public health funding. The states claim the cuts are unlawful and based on political disagreements, not the merits of the programs, which support critical public health infrastructure like disease monitoring, outbreak response, and emergency planning.

Why it matters

The lawsuit highlights the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and Democratic-led states, with the president repeatedly attempting to withhold federal funding from states that do not align with his political agenda. The cuts to public health funding could have significant impacts on the states' ability to protect the health and safety of their residents.

The details

The grant funding, administered through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, supports a range of critical public health programs, including HIV prevention and surveillance. The Trump administration claims the grants do not align with the agency's priorities, but the states argue the cuts are unlawful and politically motivated.

  • The lawsuit was filed on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.

The players

California

One of the four Democratic-led states that filed the lawsuit against the Trump administration.

Colorado

One of the four Democratic-led states that filed the lawsuit against the Trump administration.

Illinois

One of the four Democratic-led states that filed the lawsuit against the Trump administration.

Minnesota

One of the four Democratic-led states that filed the lawsuit against the Trump administration.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

The federal agency that is terminating the $600 million in public health funding.

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What they’re saying

“President Trump is resorting to a familiar playbook. He is using federal funding to compel states and jurisdictions to follow his agenda. Those efforts have all previously failed, and we expect that to happen once again.”

— Rob Bonta, California Attorney General (Reuters)

What’s next

The judge will rule on the states' request for a temporary injunction to block the funding cuts.

The takeaway

This lawsuit highlights the ongoing political tensions between the Trump administration and Democratic-led states, with the president using federal funding as a tool to pressure states to align with his agenda. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the ability of states to protect public health and safety without interference from the federal government.