A number of elected officials in Texas are retaliating, both legally and non-legally, against what they see as an assault on the general welfare of Americans.
These officials claim that President Donald Trump’s recent flurry of executive orders is the source of these attacks.
Funding halt worries
Under the direction of Project 2025 architect Russell Vought, the White House Office of Management and Budget released a memo suspending federal aid programs that the present administration believes might not be consistent with Trump’s ideological stance.
Trillions of dollars might be affected by that funding halt, which took effect Tuesday at 5 p.m., leaving hundreds, if not thousands, of Americans and Texans around the country frantically trying to determine what to do next.
According to a Jan. 28 email from the Texas Democrats, “this careless freeze directly targets programs that are vital to millions of Texans, such as Head Start, WIC, school lunches, Section 8 housing, child care grants, and funding for countless nonprofits that provide essential services to our communities.”
Numerous efforts, including healthcare research and education programs, may be severely disrupted by the funding block. Even grants that have been given but not yet used are included in the Trump administration’s freeze.
The inability of their agencies and early education facilities to get Medicaid and Head Start funding has already been highlighted by some states.
Texans respond
In a statement, Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa stated, “This is what happens when we have a president who doesn’t care or doesn’t know what life is like for average Americans.” Democrats in Texas are raising the alarm: this is not governance; rather, it is a deliberate attempt to overthrow our system, deny the people their right to vote, and frighten us into submission.
The last thing we need is an administration that is playing politics with our livelihoods at a time when Texans are already dealing with growing expenses, stagnating salaries, and careless state leadership. Hinojosa continued, “This is not just a policy decision; it is a betrayal of the working class and an unmistakable indication that Trump’s America serves only the wealthiest few.”
Hinojosa’s criticism of the recent White House action is not unique. On January 24, just days before Trump’s most recent funding freeze order, U.S. Congressman Al Green actually grouped together a number of Trump executive actions as a reason for grave concern.
President Trump has, according to CNN, frozen civil rights cases, only recognized two genders, closed the gun violence prevention office, placed DEI federal employees on paid leave, stopped police reform agreements, started mass deportations, and contested birthright citizenship, among other things, in less than a week, Green said in a statement.
If you’re not interested in the above, perhaps this will: H.J.Res.29, a joint resolution to grant President Trump three terms, has been introduced by a US congressman. Green also called for a coalition of resistance, saying, “Friends, we cannot defeat the Make America Hate Agenda by expecting others to help us when we won’t help others.”
Even though we all seem to have different problems, the underlying cause of our ailments is the same. As he illustrated what such a cohesive strategy could result in, Green said that the underlying cause of everything stems from policies implemented by a would-be tyrant.
The Trump administration’s decision to block federal financial aid programs, which might imperil hundreds of millions of dollars in financing for vital services in Harris County, was sharply criticized by Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee.
In response, the Harris County Attorney is contemplating legal action in conjunction with attorneys general in states like New York and Illinois.
Funds that Congress has already approved cannot be withheld by President Trump. According to Menefee, federal law and the U.S. Constitution are unambiguous on that point. Harris County might lose hundreds of millions of dollars for vital initiatives like infrastructure, healthcare, transportation, and public safety as a result of this careless conduct. These programs are essential services that our communities depend on on a daily basis; they are not political. Families in Harris County shouldn’t have to endure the fanaticism of the Trump administration. To make sure that the residents of Harris County are not harmed by this illegal overreach, we are looking into legal possibilities.
A way forward
Green argues that by banding together, those most harmed by Trump’s recent executive orders can oppose attempts to terminate birthright citizenship, implement comprehensive immigration reform, respect for people’s sexual orientation, reform guns, and reform the police.
“We can demonstrate that diversity and equity are essential inclusivities for everyone to overcome centuries of exclusivity for some,” Green stated in reference to the Trump administration’s attempts to eradicate DEI (diversity, equality, and inclusion programs, jobs, and money).
“The best hope for democracy is our unity against the policies of rising far-right-wing autocracy,” Green continued.
