The administration of US President Donald Trump has frozen more than $10 billion in federal childcare and family assistance funding to five Democratic-led states, citing concerns over fraud and misuse of public funds. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that the decision affects California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota and New York, marking the latest move in a series of funding threats aimed at states and institutions governed by political opponents.

According to HHS, the freeze applies to three major federal programmes: the Child Care and Development Fund, valued at $2.4 billion; the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families programme, worth $7.35 billion; and the Social Services Block Grant, totalling $869 million. In a statement released on Tuesday, the department said access to the funds would be restricted pending further review, raising concerns about the immediate impact on vulnerable families who rely on the assistance.

Democratic leaders swiftly condemned the decision, accusing the administration of politicising essential social services. New York Governor Kathy Hochul described the move as “vindictive” and “cruel,” saying children should not be used as “political pawns” in disputes between the White House and Democratic governors. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker echoed those sentiments, calling the freeze “wrong and cruel,” while California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office said the state has already blocked more than $125 billion in fraud since he took office.

The funding freeze also comes amid heightened scrutiny of Minnesota, which the Trump administration has repeatedly accused of widespread fraud within welfare and social service programmes. Officials have pointed to alleged abuses involving immigrants, claims that rights advocates argue unfairly target the state’s Somali community — the largest in the United States — as well as prominent Democratic figures including Governor Tim Walz and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar.

Civil rights groups warn that the administration is using fraud investigations as a pretext to pursue broader political and ideological battles, particularly against immigrants and Democratic-led states. As the review process continues, uncertainty remains over when — or if — the frozen funds will be released, leaving states and advocacy groups bracing for potential disruptions to critical childcare and family support services. (Arise News)

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