The Department of Justice has labeled New York City, NY, Portland, OR, and Seattle, WA, “anarchist jurisdictions.” The designation allows the White House’s Office of Management and Budget to recommend restrictions of federal grants for the cities.
Per a Trump Sept. 2 executive order, the classification gives OMB 30 days to issue guidance to federal agencies on blocking federal funds to cities on that list.
Federal monies make up for sizable portions of the cities’ annual budgets. More than $7 billion – 7.5% – of NYC’s already-tight budget in fiscal year 2021 comes from the federal government.
In justifying the decision the DOJ cited the cities’ cuts to police departments, lax prosecution of violent rioters and criminals, and rising gun violence.
“We cannot allow federal tax dollars to be wasted when the safety of the citizenry hangs in the balance. It is my hope that the cities identified by the Department of Justice today will reverse course and become serious about performing the basic function of government and start protecting their own citizens,” Attorney General William Barr said in a statement.