{"id":2024,"date":"2026-01-08T11:17:55","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T16:17:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/?p=2024"},"modified":"2026-01-11T10:50:03","modified_gmt":"2026-01-11T15:50:03","slug":"conditions-on-victims-of-crime-grants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/conditions-on-victims-of-crime-grants\/","title":{"rendered":"Conditions on Victims of Crime Grants"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\">\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**Press_Release**_0\"><strong>Press Release:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/portal.ct.gov\/ag\/press-releases\/2025-press-releases\/attorney-general-tong-sues-trump-administration-over-illegal-conditions-on-voca-grants\">Attor\u00adney Gen\u00ader\u00adal Tong Sues Trump Admin\u00adis\u00adtra\u00adtion Over Ille\u00adgal Con\u00addi\u00adtions on VOCA Grants<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**Preceding_Event**_0\"><strong>Preceding Event:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Vic\u00adtims of Crime Act (VOCA), enact\u00aded near\u00adly 40 years ago, cre\u00adat\u00aded grant pro\u00adgrams to give states fund\u00ading so that they could pro\u00advide vic\u00adtims of crime with resources and ser\u00advices. Accord\u00ading to the law\u00adsuit, \u201cthe Office for Vic\u00adtims of Crime, an agency housed with\u00adin the U.S. Depart\u00adment of Jus\u00adtice that is charged with admin\u00adis\u00adter\u00ading VOCA grants, has now declared that States will be unable to access VOCA funds unless they accede to the Exec\u00adu\u00adtive Branch\u2019s immi\u00adgra\u00adtion enforce\u00adment pri\u00ador\u00adi\u00adties. This new pol\u00adi\u00adcy would impose unprece\u00addent\u00aded con\u00addi\u00adtions on the use of VOCA funds, requir\u00ading States to assist the U.S. Depart\u00adment of Home\u00adland Secu\u00adri\u00adty in unre\u00adlat\u00aded immi\u00adgra\u00adtion enforce\u00adment efforts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**General_Overview**_0\"><strong>General Overview:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Accord\u00ading to the press release from Aug. 18, 2025, \u201cAttor\u00adney Gen\u00ader\u00adal William Tong today announced he has joined a coali\u00adtion of 21 attor\u00adneys gen\u00ader\u00adal&nbsp;suing the Trump Admin\u00adis\u00adtra\u00adtion&nbsp;over the ille\u00adgal impo\u00adsi\u00adtion of con\u00addi\u00adtions on Con\u00adgres\u00adsion\u00adal\u00adly-autho\u00adrized Vic\u00adtims of Crime Act grants\u2026This direc\u00adtive con\u00adflicts with core prin\u00adci\u00adples of Amer\u00adi\u00adcan gov\u00ader\u00adnance \u2013 the sep\u00ada\u00adra\u00adtion of pow\u00aders, and fed\u00ader\u00adal\u00adism. Con\u00adgress did not autho\u00adrize USDOJ to impose con\u00addi\u00adtions on these grant pro\u00adgrams that coerce States to devote their resources to enact\u00ading the Administration\u2019s immi\u00adgra\u00adtion agen\u00adda. As such, Attor\u00adney Gen\u00ader\u00adal Tong and the coali\u00adtion are request\u00ading that the Court per\u00adma\u00adnent\u00adly enjoin the Trump Admin\u00adis\u00adtra\u00adtion from imple\u00adment\u00ading or enforc\u00ading these ille\u00adgal con\u00addi\u00adtions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**Connecticut_Nexus**_0\"><strong>Connecticut Nexus:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cTrump\u2019s actions threat\u00aden $14.5 mil\u00adlion in fund\u00ading to Con\u00adnecti\u00adcut alone,\u201d accord\u00ading to the press release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**Date_of_filing**_0\"><strong>Date of filing:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Aug. 8, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**Case_#**_0\"><strong>Case #:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/portal.ct.gov\/-\/media\/ag\/press_releases\/2025\/dkt-no-1-complaint.pdf?rev=6de801b1af4649c9a4911ddbdf12eea5&amp;hash=C1BABCD4E4A01C5584214E3ADEFE75E5\">1:25-cv-00404<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**Case_title**_0\"><strong>Case title:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><em>State of New Jer\u00adsey et al v. Unit\u00aded States Depart\u00adment of Jus\u00adtice et al<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**Plaintiffs**_21_states_0\"><strong>Plaintiffs:<\/strong>&nbsp;21 states<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>STATE OF NEW JERSEY;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF RHODE ISLAND;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF CALIFORNIA;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF DELAWARE;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF ILLINOIS;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF COLORADO;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF CONNECTICUT;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF HAWAI\u2018I;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF MAINE;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF MARYLAND;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF MICHIGAN;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF MINNESOTA;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF NEVADA;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF NEW MEXICO;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF NEW YORK;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF OREGON;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF VERMONT;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF WASHINGTON;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF WISCONSIN<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**Defendants**_0\"><strong>Defendants:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>PAMELA J. BONDI, in her offi\u00adcial capac\u00adi\u00adty as Attor\u00adney Gen\u00ader\u00adal of the Unit\u00aded States;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>MAUREEN HENNEBERG, in her offi\u00adcial capac\u00adi\u00adty as Act\u00ading Assis\u00adtant Attor\u00adney Gen\u00ader\u00adal for the Office of Jus\u00adtice Pro\u00adgrams;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>OFFICE FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>KATHERINE DARKE SCHMITT, in her offi\u00adcial capac\u00adi\u00adty as Act\u00ading Direc\u00adtor of the Office for Vic\u00adtims of Crime,<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**Court**_0\"><strong>Court:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF RHODE ISLAND<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**Status_as_of_Dec._1,_2025**_0\"><strong>Status as of Dec. 1, 2025:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>OPEN<br>Last fil\u00ading: Nov. 12, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\">\n\n\n<nav class=\"is-vertical wp-block-navigation is-layout-flex wp-container-core-navigation-is-layout-fe9cc265 wp-block-navigation-is-layout-flex\" aria-label=\"Lawsuit Index\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-medium-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/category\/lawsuits\/\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:800\">chrono\u00adlog\u00adi\u00adcal Index of law\u00adsuits <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-navigation__container  is-vertical wp-block-navigation\"><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/birthright-citizenship\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Birthright Cit\u00adi\u00adzen\u00adship<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/lawsuit-federal-funding-freeze-to-states\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Fed\u00ader\u00adal Fund\u00ading Freeze to States<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/lawsuit-doges-access-to-treasury-systems\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014DOGE\u2019s Access to Trea\u00adsury Sys\u00adtems<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/nih-and-hhs-funding-for-medical-research\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014NIH and HHS Fund\u00ading for Med\u00adical Research<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/power-given-to-musk\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Pow\u00ader Giv\u00aden to Musk<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/mass-firings-of-federal-probationary-employees\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Mass Fir\u00adings of Fed\u00ader\u00adal Pro\u00adba\u00adtion\u00adary Employ\u00adees<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/dismantling-education-department\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Dis\u00adman\u00adtling Edu\u00adca\u00adtion Depart\u00adment<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/hhs-cuts-11-billion-in-public-health-grants-to-states\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014HHS Cuts $11 Bil\u00adlion in Pub\u00adlic Health Grants to States<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/voting-rights-and-elections-restrictions\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Vot\u00ading Rights and Elec\u00adtions Restric\u00adtions<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/attack-on-museums-libraries-workers\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Attack on Muse\u00adums, Libraries &amp; Work\u00aders<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/stopping-tariffs\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Stop\u00adping Tar\u00adiffs<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/k-12-funding-conditions\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014K\u201112 Fund\u00ading Con\u00addi\u00adtions<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/dismantling-of-americorps\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Dis\u00adman\u00adtling of Ameri\u00adCorps<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/halting-wind-energy\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Halt\u00ading Wind Ener\u00adgy<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/dismantling-hhs\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Dis\u00adman\u00adtling HHS<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/big-oil-and-energy-emergency\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Big Oil and Ener\u00adgy Emer\u00adgency<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/immigration-conditions-placed-on-dhs-funding\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Immi\u00adgra\u00adtion Con\u00addi\u00adtions Placed on Fund\u00ading DHS<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/immigration-conditions-placed-on-dot-funding\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Immi\u00adgra\u00adtion Con\u00addi\u00adtions Placed on Fund\u00ading DOT<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/protecting-science-research-and-programs\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Pro\u00adtect\u00ading Sci\u00adence and Research Pro\u00adgrams<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/federal-funding-for-states\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Fed\u00ader\u00adal Fund\u00ading for States<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/mental-health-funding-cuts-in-k-12\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Men\u00adtal Health Fund\u00ading Cuts in K\u201112<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/sharing-health-information-with-ice\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Shar\u00ading Health Infor\u00adma\u00adtion With ICE<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/the-freezing-of-6-8-billion-in-education-funding\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Freez\u00ading of $6.8 Bil\u00adlion in Edu\u00adca\u00adtion Fund\u00ading<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/cutting-disaster-funding\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Cut\u00adting Dis\u00adas\u00adter Fund\u00ading<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/1-8-million-people-losing-health-insurance\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u20141.8 Mil\u00adlion Peo\u00adple Los\u00ading Health Insur\u00adance<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/federal-restrictions-on-benefits\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Fed\u00ader\u00adal Restric\u00adtions on Ben\u00ade\u00adfits<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/usda-demands-snap-recipient-information\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014USDA Demands SNAP Recip\u00adi\u00adent Infor\u00adma\u00adtion<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/medicaid-funding-for-planned-parenthood\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Med\u00adic\u00adaid Fund\u00ading for Planned Par\u00adent\u00adhood<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/gender-affirming-care\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Gen\u00adder Affirm\u00ading Care<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/doe-funding-cap-for-state-energy-programs\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014DOE Fund\u00ading Cap for State Ener\u00adgy Pro\u00adgrams<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/conditions-on-victims-of-crime-grants\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Con\u00addi\u00adtions on Vic\u00adtims of Crime Grants<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/revolution-wind-stop-work-order\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Rev\u00ado\u00adlu\u00adtion Wind Stop Work Order<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/conditions-on-sex-ed-funding\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Con\u00addi\u00adtions on Sex Ed Fund\u00ading<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/homeland-security-funding-cuts\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Home\u00adland Secu\u00adri\u00adty Fund\u00ading Cuts<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/second-lawsuit-against-doj-for-crime-survivors\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Sec\u00adond Law\u00adsuit Against DOJ for Crime Sur\u00advivors<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/suspending-snap-benefits\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Sus\u00adpend\u00ading SNAP Ben\u00ade\u00adfits<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/public-service-loan-forgiveness-restrictions\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Pub\u00adlic Ser\u00advice Loan For\u00adgive\u00adness Restric\u00adtions<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/changes-in-hud-grants\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Changes in HUD Grants<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/snap-immigration-eligibility-changes\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014SNAP Immi\u00adgra\u00adtion Eli\u00adgi\u00adbil\u00adi\u00adty Changes<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Press Release: Attor\u00adney Gen\u00ader\u00adal Tong Sues Trump Admin\u00adis\u00adtra\u00adtion Over Ille\u00adgal Con\u00addi\u00adtions on VOCA Grants Pre\u00adced\u00ading Event: The Vic\u00adtims of Crime Act (VOCA), enact\u00aded near\u00adly 40 years ago, cre\u00adat\u00aded grant pro\u00adgrams to give states fund\u00ading so that they could pro\u00advide vic\u00adtims of crime with resources and ser\u00advices. Accord\u00ading to the law\u00adsuit, \u201cthe Office for Vic\u00adtims of [\u2026]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1091,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wp_typography_post_enhancements_disabled":false,"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[177],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2024","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-lawsuits"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2032,"url":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/second-lawsuit-against-doj-for-crime-survivors\/","url_meta":{"origin":2024,"position":0},"title":"Second Lawsuit Against DOJ for Crime Survivors","author":"Charlotte Harvey","date":"January 8, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Press Release: Attorneys General Tong Files Second Lawsuit Against DOJ to Protect Services for Crime Survivors Preceding Event: Recently, the Department of Justice and its offices dedicated to crime victim and survivor services have notified states of a post hoc condition which prohibits some victim services and criminal justice funds\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;lawsuits&quot;","block_context":{"text":"lawsuits","link":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/category\/lawsuits\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":2038,"url":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/changes-in-hud-grants\/","url_meta":{"origin":2024,"position":1},"title":"Changes in HUD Grants","author":"Charlotte Harvey","date":"January 8, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Press Release: Attorney General Tong Sues Over HUD Policy That Would Put More People Into Homelessness Preceding Event: The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is a cabinet level agency within the executive branch of the federal government whose primary purpose is to administer federal housing and urban development\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;lawsuits&quot;","block_context":{"text":"lawsuits","link":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/category\/lawsuits\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":1911,"url":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/hhs-cuts-11-billion-in-public-health-grants-to-states\/","url_meta":{"origin":2024,"position":2},"title":"HHS Cuts $11 Billion in Public Health Grants to States","author":"Charlotte Harvey","date":"January 7, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Press Release: Attorney General Tong Sues to Overturn Public Health Grant Cuts Preceding Event: On March 24, 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) began terminating $11 billion of health funding to states and state agencies. According to the lawsuit, the administration said the funding was no\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;lawsuits&quot;","block_context":{"text":"lawsuits","link":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/category\/lawsuits\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":1986,"url":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/immigration-conditions-placed-on-dot-funding\/","url_meta":{"origin":2024,"position":3},"title":"Immigration Conditions Placed on DOT Funding","author":"Charlotte Harvey","date":"January 8, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Press Release: Attorney General Tong Sues Trump Administration Over Illegal Immigration Conditions Preceding Event: According to the lawsuit, \"On April 24, 2025, United States Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy issued\u00a0a letter (the 'Duffy Directive')\u00a0to all recipients of U.S. DOT funding announcing its policy, for the first time, of imposing an\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;lawsuits&quot;","block_context":{"text":"lawsuits","link":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/category\/lawsuits\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":1992,"url":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/federal-funding-for-states\/","url_meta":{"origin":2024,"position":4},"title":"Federal Funding for States","author":"Charlotte Harvey","date":"January 8, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Press Release: Attorney General Tong Challenges Trump Illegal Attempts to Terminate Federal Funding for States Preceding Event: On the first day of President Donald Trump's second term, Jan. 20, the Department of Government Efficiency, lead by Elon Musk, began cutting federal departments, programs and grants. Thousands of grants previously awarded\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;lawsuits&quot;","block_context":{"text":"lawsuits","link":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/category\/lawsuits\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":524,"url":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/05\/federal-research-cuts-hit-uconn\/","url_meta":{"origin":2024,"position":5},"title":"Federal research cuts hit UConn&nbsp;","author":"Sara Bedigian","date":"January 5, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"By Sara Bedigian UConn Journalism Sign on the University of Connecticut Storrs campus. UConn has lost $95 million in federal funding over the past year. Photo by Sara Bedigian University of Connecticut\u00a0Professor\u00a0Jennifer\u00a0McGarry\u00a0has spent more than 20 years running a federally\u00a0funded program that provides nutrition and physical activity support to low-income\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Education&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Education","link":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/category\/education\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/files\/2025\/12\/IMG_4228-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/files\/2025\/12\/IMG_4228-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/files\/2025\/12\/IMG_4228-scaled.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/files\/2025\/12\/IMG_4228-scaled.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/files\/2025\/12\/IMG_4228-scaled.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/files\/2025\/12\/IMG_4228-scaled.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pgTa6m-wE","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2024","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1091"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2024"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2024\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2106,"href":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2024\/revisions\/2106"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2024"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2024"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2024"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}