The Trump administration is reportedly preparing to cancel significant federal funding for California, possibly starting as early as Friday, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.

Targeting Grants and Universities

Federal agencies are allegedly being instructed to identify grants that can be withheld from the state. sources indicate that the administration is specifically considering a complete termination of federal grant funding for the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) systems.

White House Response

A White House official stated Friday afternoon that no final decision had been made regarding the proposed cuts.

A History of Conflict

Targeting a single state with such extensive cuts would be an unusual move. However, president Donald Trump has frequently singled out California, a state led by democrats, as a target.

The president’s actions are not without precedent. Just last month, he threatened to withhold federal funding from California over a transgender athlete’s participation in a sporting event.The administration also recently cut $126.4 million in flood prevention funding projects. Moreover, Mr. Trump has repeatedly criticized the state’s handling of devastating wildfires earlier this year.The president and California gov. Gavin Newsom have a history of public disagreements spanning several years.

Allegations of Antisemitism as a Factor

Two sources suggest that the administration is targeting California universities due to alleged antisemitism on campus, an issue that the schools have reportedly been addressing over the past year. The administration has already taken similar steps to punish Harvard and Columbia universities for similar reasons.

Potential Legal Challenges

It remains unclear how the UC and CSU systems plan to respond. It is possible they could be represented by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, a Democrat.

CNN has reached out to Mr. Bonta’s office, the UC system, and the CSU system for comment.

political Reactions

california Rep. Zoe Lofgren, the top Democrat on the Science, Space and Technology Committee, voiced strong opposition:

Trump is a bully. We’ve now heard from sources that he may be intending to cut grants to California becuase we didn’t vote for him and we’re Democratically inclined. … I will fight back on this. This will be promptly challenged in court.

rep. Zoe Lofgren, California

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, also a California Democrat, echoed this sentiment: whatever cruel crusade the President may announce against California, we will fight back.

california’s Preparedness

California’s state legislature allocated $25 million in its budget to combat Trump administration policies and has spent approximately $5 million of that amount to date, according to a source.

Republican Viewpoint

GOP Rep. Darrell Issa of California stated he was unaware of the imminent grant cancellations. He mentioned recently meeting with university representatives who expressed concerns about their future funding.

every university, every research association, pretty much I saw them passing through here the last two days, Mr. Issa said.

mr. Issa’s message to the concerned university representatives was:

We’re going to advocate for essentials,but I sent them back and said come to me with specifics. Come to me with the grant and the justification, and I’ll advocate for that.But I’m not going to advocate for no cuts; you just get more money every year. That’s how we got in this problem.

Rep. Darrell Issa, california