President Donald Trump's administration paused billions of dollars in funding for infrastructure projects in another city that rejected him in last year's election, setting off a cascade of criticism.
White House budget director Russell Vought announced $2.1 billion in funding for Chicago infrastructure projects would be placed on hold during the government shutdown, after the administration targeted spending in other cities and states led by Democrats.
"$2.1 billion in Chicago infrastructure projects – specifically the Red Line Extension and the Red and Purple Modernization Project – have been put on hold to ensure funding is not flowing via race-based contracting," Vought announced on his X account. "More info to come soon from @USDOT."
Trump and Republican lawmakers have blamed the Democratic congressional minority for the shutdown, which came after lawmakers were unable to approve a funding bill before the start of the new fiscal year Wednesday, and Vought announced $18 billion in funding would be frozen for two major projects in New York City to ensure, as he said, the money was not used toward race-based contracting.
Vought's announcement was met with howls of protest, and many social media users pointed out that he was carrying out plans he's long wanted to enact.
"For everyone stuck writing about today’s cancellations, here’s the metadata from the 'rule' that Vought claims both New York and Chicago are somehow in violation of," reported journalist Nolan Hicks. "The PDF to post it wasn’t even created until 5:47pm, was last modified at 5:55pm. And the government shut down six hours later at 12am."
"Trump got 600,000 votes in Cook County, IL (home to Chicago and this project) last year," noted congressional staffer Aaron Fritschner. "Some of those Trump voters will lose their jobs if this freeze holds, and many more will have increased gridlock and worse commutes."
"Republicans are happy to collect taxes from blue states, then Budget Dictator Russ Vought cuts off their funding approved by Congress," posted Ex-prosecutor Ron Filipkowski. "No cuts yet from the Dictator to red states. Vote out Susan Collins since she is powerless as Appropriations Chair & every R in blue states."
"Chicago has become a focal point for Trump, who has repeatedly threatened to send National Guard troops to crack down on what he has cast as out-of-control crime and violence in the Democratic stronghold," said Bluesky user Howard Beale.
"When Trump & Project 2025 Boss Vought halt crucial Congress Approved/Funded infrastructure Projects in New York, Chicago & other Democrat areas, they are not just damaging these states & cities, they are damaging the United States of America," added filmmaker Kris Koles. "Meanwhile China is building infrastructure non stop."
"Of course, PBS might have mentioned that Nazi Vought withholding funding already approved by Congress for Chicago is a criminal act," pointed out writer John Gilman. "Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah."