President Trump posted on Truth Social on Jan. 14 that, effective Feb. 1, the federal government will stop payments to states that fund sanctuary cities. The post did not specify which federal programs would be cut. The move could strain state budgets, prompt legal challenges and reignite political battles over immigration policy.
Trump Says Federal Payments For 'Sanctuary Cities' Will End Feb. 1
U.S. President Donald Trump returns from Detroit, Michigan, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., January 13, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
On Jan. 14, U.S. President Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social account that, effective Feb. 1, the federal government will stop payments to states that fund sanctuary cities and related programs.
The announcement was reported by Reuters on Jan. 14 (Reporting by Devika Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Andrew Heavens). The post did not specify which federal programs or payments would be cut, and gave no further implementation details.
What This Could Mean
Halting federal payments to states for sanctuary-city programs could place new strain on state and local budgets that receive federal funds tied to immigration, public safety or social services. Legal and political challenges are likely: states and municipalities that receive federal grants may contest any abrupt funding cuts in court, and lawmakers could push to clarify or block the action through legislation.
At this stage, the announcement is a policy declaration from the president’s social media account rather than a detailed federal directive. Observers will be watching for follow-up guidance from federal agencies and for responses from affected states.
Note: Reuters reported the statement on Jan. 14; the administration has not published further details about which payments would be affected or how the cutoff would be carried out.
(Reporting by Devika Nair; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
Help us improve.
