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A federal judge just told Trump he can’t ghost $5 billion in EV charger funding for blue states. The court ruled that pretending infrastructure doesn’t count when it’s electric isn’t a legal argument—it’s a tantrum.

A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration cannot block $5 billion in electric vehicle (EV) charger funding allocated to 14 states under existing infrastructure law, dealing a legal and symbolic blow to the administration’s efforts to sideline climate-related programs.

The ruling, issued Tuesday, comes after weeks of policy back-and-forth in which the Department of Transportation attempted to withhold funds intended for EV charging stations—specifically in states led by Democratic governors.

The administration argued that the funds were “discretionary” and needed to be reevaluated under new energy priorities, including expanded gas production.

But Judge Lorraine Kim ruled that the funding was not discretionary at all.

It was mandated by legislation passed in 2021 and reaffirmed in 2023.

“The federal government cannot unilaterally redefine statutory obligations to align with political preferences,” her decision read.

The case was brought by a coalition of states, including California, New York, and Illinois, which argued that the Trump administration was overstepping its authority and punishing them for pursuing clean energy.

Environmental law groups quickly joined, pointing to the broader implications for federal-state partnerships on climate action.

The court’s ruling effectively restores the funding and bars the administration from interfering with disbursement.

Legal analysts note that it sets an important precedent—not just about EV chargers, but about whether executive branch agencies can reverse-engineer congressional mandates on ideological grounds.

For the clean energy sector, it’s a rare and overdue win.

EV infrastructure rollouts have lagged behind targets in most states, hindered by supply chain issues, permitting delays, and—more recently—federal obstruction.

The $5 billion in question is part of a larger $7.5 billion program designed to make EV charging widely accessible by 2030.

The ruling also underscores growing tension between federal climate mandates and the administration’s fossil-forward agenda.

While Trump officials continue to emphasize “energy dominance” and “choice,” critics argue that sabotaging EV infrastructure isn’t about freedom—it’s about erasing alternatives.

This case may not end the battle over green infrastructure, but it’s a clear message: you can’t cancel laws just because you don’t like the future they fund.

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