Pritzker Condemns Federal Actions in Chicago as 'War Zone' Amid Pause on $2.1B in Federal Transit Funding
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said federal enforcement and deployment actions are “making it a war zone” in Chicago as he criticized the administration. The comment came after the Trump administration, via OMB Director Russell Vought, paused $2.1 billion in federal funding for the Chicago Red Line extension — saying the hold was to ensure money is not flowing via race‑based contracting — part of broader shutdown‑era freezes on infrastructure and energy projects including billions for New York.
Politics
Government/Regulatory
Economy
Government/Finance
Public Safety
Infrastructure
📌 Key Facts
- OMB Director Russ Vought and the Trump administration have paused major infrastructure and climate funding during the federal shutdown: roughly $18 billion tied to New York projects, about $8 billion in climate/energy projects, and $2.1 billion in federal funding for Chicago projects (including the planned Red Line extension).
- USDOT explicitly tied its review of New York funding to the federal shutdown, and NPR reported an immediate operational impact: a $300 million disbursement for the Second Avenue subway will be affected right away.
- Vought publicly said the Chicago funds were "put on hold to ensure funding is not flowing via race‑based contracting," and OMB/administration announcements framed the holds and cancellations as administration actions tied to the shutdown posture.
- The White House and President Trump have framed the shutdown as an opportunity to reshape spending and personnel: Trump praised OMB Director Russ Vought, posted on Truth Social about "clearing out dead wood," and administration leaders publicly endorsed Vought's actions.
- Observers note the OMB moves are consistent with Vought's prior advocacy (Project 2025) to limit agency autonomy and seek rescissions or program changes.
- Legal and policy analysts (including former OMB official Bridget Dooling) cautioned that threats of permanent layoffs or cuts may be a "bluff," distinguishing temporary funding lapses during a shutdown from the authority to carry out permanent reductions in force.
- Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker sharply criticized recent federal enforcement and deployment actions in Chicago, saying they are "making it a war zone," an escalation in rhetoric between state and federal officials over the response in the city.
- The near‑term path to restoring funding was constrained by legislative timing — reports noted the Senate would not vote again until Friday (observing Yom Kippur) — complicating prospects for a quick resolution during the shutdown.
📚 Contextual Background
- The Trump administration announced the cancellation of nearly $8 billion in climate-related projects in 16 states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Vermont and Washington.
- Fourteen of the 16 states affected by the cancellations had Democratic governors, while New Hampshire and Vermont had Republican governors.
- Chuck Schumer is the Senate Minority Leader and a United States Senator representing New York.
- Hakeem Jeffries is the House Minority Leader and a member of the United States House of Representatives representing New York.
📰 Sources (8)
Pritzker says Trump officials' Chicago crackdown is "making it a war zone"
New information:
- Gov. J.B. Pritzker publicly characterized recent Trump-administration enforcement and deployment actions in Chicago as 'making it a war zone' (quote reported Oct. 5, 2025).
- The article records an on-the-record, high-level state official escalation in rhetoric toward federal officials over enforcement tactics in Chicago (named participant: Gov. J.B. Pritzker).
Trump to withhold $2.1 billion for Chicago infrastructure projects amid shutdown battle
New information:
- The Trump administration (via OMB/White House Budget Director Russ Vought) will withhold $2.1 billion in federal funding for Chicago infrastructure projects.
- The pause specifically affects the planned extension of Chicago’s Red Line train.
- Russ Vought said on social media the funds were 'put on hold to ensure funding is not flowing via race‑based contracting.'
- This action is presented alongside an earlier, separate withholding announcement affecting New York infrastructure funding.
As the shutdown drags on, the threat of permanent cuts is mired in politics
New information:
- Direct reporting that Russell Vought 'announced' the cancellation/withholding of $8 billion in energy projects and said he would cancel $18 billion in New York infrastructure funding (strong attribution to OMB/administration)
- President Trump’s Truth Social message framing the pause as an opportunity to "clear out dead wood" and calling Democrats the 'Radical Left', quoted verbatim
- House Speaker Mike Johnson's on‑the‑record statement endorsing Vought's role and characterizing the decision as following a presidential directive
- Legal/analytical quote from Bridget Dooling (Ohio State law professor and former OMB official) calling the administration's layoffs threat a 'bluff' and distinguishing temporary lapses from permanent RIF authority
- Contextual background on Russell Vought's prior advocacy (Project 2025) linking his earlier policy prescriptions to current OMB actions
Who is Russ Vought? What to know about Trump's OMB director ahead of shutdown layoffs
New information:
- CBS ties those funding freezes explicitly to decisions being implemented and communicated by OMB Director Russ Vought as part of the administration's shutdown posture.
- Adds context that Vought has sought rescissions previously and frames the freezes as consistent with his Project 2025 agenda to limit agency autonomy.
Government shutdown live updates as impasse enters second day
New information:
- CBS live update confirms the White House move to pause $18 billion in New York infrastructure funding and $8 billion in climate-related projects.
- Reports that Senate won't vote again until Friday (observance of Yom Kippur) which affects the near-term path to restoring funding.
- Direct quote from President Trump on Truth Social framing the shutdown as a chance to 'clear out dead wood.'
Trump uses government shutdown to dole out firings and political punishment
New information:
- Direct attribution that OMB placed roughly $18 billion on hold for New York subway and Hudson Tunnel projects during the shutdown (confirmed in this AP piece)
- Contextual quote from President Trump praising OMB Director Russ Vought's ability to 'trim the budget' and framing the shutdown as an opportunity to reshape spending priorities
Trump freezes $18 billion in funding for NYC, home to key Democratic leaders
New information:
- USDOT explicitly tied its review of New York funding to the federal shutdown in its statement, per NPR reporting.
- NPR reports an immediate operational effect: a $300 million disbursement for the Second Avenue subway project will be affected immediately.
- Direct attributions and quotes included from Russell Vought (OMB post on X), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (post on X), and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul's press‑conference remarks.