President Donald Trump has ordered the U.S. federal government to begin the process of defunding New York City and three other U.S. cities (Washington, D.C., Seattle and Portland) where officials allowed “lawless” protests and cut police budgets amid skyrocketing violent crime.
The story was first reported by the N.Y. Post.
Mr. Trump signed a five-page memo yesterday, ordering all federal agencies to report to the White House Office of Management and Budget that detail funds that can be redirected. The results of the inquiries are due within 30 days.
“My Administration will not allow Federal tax dollars to fund cities that allow themselves to deteriorate into lawless zones,” Mr. Trump writes in the memo, where he mentions New York Mayor Bill de Blasio twice.
“To ensure that Federal funds are neither unduly wasted nor spent in a manner that directly violates our Government’s promise to protect life, liberty, and property, it is imperative that the Federal Government review the use of Federal funds by jurisdictions that permit anarchy, violence, and destruction in America’s cities,” it adds.
Photo by The White House