Opinion and Commentary By Donna A. Westfall – February 2, 2025
For far too long I’ve felt that American citizens on welfare have been taking advantage of the system generation after generation. Now we learn that illegal aliens can benefit from all sorts of programs (taxpayer funded) from free education, to Food Stamps, to Medicaid and on and on. Wonder why? Because California is a Sanctuary State and as such our State and local law enforcement cannot ask for their immigration status. California law expressly prohibits it.
What did Trump do? He issued an executive order. His EO’s are now numbering other 300. But for our purposes, this one freezes Federal funding for a number of programs. A big flurry of dust was kicked up as several States brought a lawsuit to stop this. Confusion reigned. Would American citizens loose their food stamps. their Medicaid (Medicare), Social Security, & school loans? No, they wouldn’t, but that didn’t have one iota of effect on 23 States Attorney Generals.
Where to things stand? The Federal freeze is temporarily stopped by the Judge(s).
But get a load from our Congressman:
By Congressman 2nd District Jared Huffman –
“Like many of you, I am deeply disturbed and concerned by President Trump’s reckless avalanche of actions over the past two weeks. Among other things, he has issued executive orders that exceed his legal authority and has brought chaos and panic to millions of Americans by threatening to bypass Congress and unilaterally “freeze” funding for scores of programs – including funding that communities rely on to feed and house struggling families, defend against wildfires, research cures for cancer, pay teachers and first responders, create jobs, and much more. The freeze would remain in place until a “senior political appointee” determines whether the funding or program activities are consistent with dozens of new executive orders on subjects ranging from deportation of immigrants, to ending support for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) goals, banning funding for abortion or transgender healthcare, and ending federal activity that promotes “wokeness” or “the green new deal.”
This is a simultaneous attack on democracy and on hardworking American families.
Rest assured that I am tracking every detail of this evolving crisis, including the shifting explanations and vague and contradictory messages we are getting from the administration. Some statements suggest they have rescinded the sweeping funding freeze in response to public outrage, but the administration’s most recent statement promises the funding freeze will still move forward. This is far from over. As we continue to seek clarity, please know that my Democratic colleagues and I are fully engaged and ready to oppose this extreme power play.
One of the most important ways to do that is to show the administration and the American people the real-life impacts of a sweeping federal funding freeze. Toward that end, I want to hear directly from you. My goal is to collect personal stories and examples from individuals, nonprofits, organizations, local and tribal governments, and institutions in our district that would be harmed if the federal funding they count on is suddenly suspended – and if one of President Trump’s political operatives determines that it conflicts with an executive order and must therefore be terminated.
Please fill out the form below to report a pause in federal aid or services, or to tell us how a potential pause, interruption or termination would affect you, your family, or your neighbors. The information you provide will help my office better understand the implications of President Trump’s actions so that we can work to ensure that our communities receive all of the funding Congress has appropriated for them.
Thank you, in advance, for bearing with us as we sort through this troubling, chaotic attempt by the Trump administration to bypass Congress and unlawfully withhold appropriated federal funding.
As a reminder, Article I of the Constitution vests Congress, not the President, with the power of the purse. Presidents cannot ignore or block congressional appropriations that are enacted into law. Attempting to do so is a lawless attack on our system of checks and balances and in my opinion, an ominous step towards an authoritarian takeover. Presidents are not kings, and I will never stop calling out and fighting against unconstitutional actions – by this or any administration.”
How much is this costing us – the taxpayer – to continue funding these programs for illegal aliens? I wouldn’t be surprised if it was in the Billions or even Trillions of $$$. But, who actually knows? That’s the question.
For things to get better for American citizens, expenses are going to have to be cut to illegals. Trump’s Federal freeze, most likely, will get passed sometime in the future when things are clarified. In the meantime, as more and more illegals are 1.) being deported and 2.) not let into the country; fewer benefits will need to be paid out.
Maybe then our Congressman Jared Huffman will remember to make it a priority to keep American’s first and foremost.