Trump Ends Federal Funding for California High-Speed Rail
On Wednesday, President Trump and Transport Secretary Sean Duffy announced that approximately $4 billion in federal funding for California’s long-delayed high-speed rail project has been terminated.
Trump expressed his views on the situation, stating, “We are pleased to announce that we have officially released you from funding a fast train that is nowhere to be, courtesy of the hardworking taxpayers of California.” He criticized the project’s management, attributing its failure to what he referred to as the incompetence of California’s Governor, Gavin Newsom.
The ambitious 800-mile rail line was initially approved as a voter initiative in 2008 and was supposed to be completed by 2020 with a $33 billion budget, ultimately connecting various cities including San Francisco and San Diego. However, by 2019, Newsom acknowledged significant challenges, with costs soaring to $77.3 billion. The focus was then reduced to a 171-mile stretch between Merced and Bakersfield.
Officials from the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) later sought an $8 billion grant from the Biden administration’s 2021 Infrastructure Act to finish a shorter segment of the project, which now stands at just 119 miles.
According to a report, CHSRA has reportedly used nearly $7 billion of taxpayer money over 15 years without making substantial progress. Drew Feely, administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), sent a letter to CHSRA’s CEO, Ian Choudri, explaining that federal funds were being removed due to CHSRA’s failure to meet commitments made in a previous agreement.
Duffy, who manages the FRA, stated, “It’s California’s fault. Governor Newsom and his party have allowed this waste to continue for years.” He added that federal funds are not meant to be spent without accountability, emphasizing the project’s mismanagement and inability to adhere to timelines and budgets.
As a reaction to these developments, Newsom hinted at possible legal action against the Trump administration to retain federal funds for the project. He criticized the decision by stating, “Trump and Duffy are handing our future to China and abandoning Central Valley—again!”
In conclusion, former president Trump reiterated that the project was excessively costly and poorly managed, promising that no further federal funding would support it. “This was a misguided and unnecessary venture, a total waste of taxpayer money,” he declared.
