Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania recently filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over the freeze of more than $2 billion in federal funds promised under former President Joe Biden. This move came after his successor as attorney general, Republican Dave Sunday, declined to file such a case. Shapiro’s successful challenge resulted in the state regaining access to the funds earmarked for green energy and environmental remediation initiatives.
Following the lawsuit filing, Shapiro was appointed to the bipartisan Council of Governors and attended a gathering in Washington, D.C. with other state leaders. Despite not commenting on specific interactions with Trump’s team, Shapiro emphasized the importance of pressuring the administration to follow the law and honor agreements. Former Governor Tom Corbett commended Shapiro’s successful efforts, speculating that the administration may have been influenced by the expectation that Pennsylvania’s lawsuit would yield positive results, similar to other states’ lawsuits.
While Shapiro took the lead in challenging the funding freeze, his relationship with Sunday remains amicable, unlike Corbett’s past conflicts with former Attorney General Kathleen Kane. State Democrats criticized Sunday for his inaction and failure to join the lawsuit to protect the promised federal dollars. However, Sunday defended his decision, stating that a knee-jerk reaction to file a lawsuit may not always provide the best long-term outcome.
Overall, Shapiro’s successful lawsuit against the Trump administration allowed him to challenge the White House in court and achieve a positive outcome, while Sunday navigated the situation without facing backlash. The collaboration between the two office holders resulted in a win-win situation, a rare occurrence in today’s political landscape.
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