The plaintiffs call the DHS’s refusal to immediately reimburse cities unconstitutional. The program, which grants cities funding to prepare against nuclear and terrorist attacks, is known as Securing the Cities. It was first established in New York in 2006, and by 2018, the program was authorized by Congress. Estimated annual funding for the program is approximately $29 million.

“Congress enacted Securing the Cities and required DHS to provide resources to local governments to implement the program,” according to the lawsuit. “DHS cannot override Congress’s judgment by freezing congressionally appropriated funding.”

The plaintiffs argue in the lawsuit that the DHS’s freezing of already-approved funding is “already impairing” the ability of cities to “protect public safety.”

Boston forwent “buying crucial nuclear and radiological detection equipment for its Fire Department.” Chicago delayed the renewal of a software license used to operate radiation detection devices and directed a vendor to halt work on a camera system designed to identify radiation sources.

Denver is awaiting $300,000 in reimbursement from the DHS.

Seattle was forced to pause its purchase of 1,000 radiation detectors at a cost of $1.1 million. Seattle officials said the purchase was intended in preparation for the 2026 World Cup matches.

“There’s a pretty big irony between the rhetoric we’re hearing from D.C. on the need to have safe and secure cities, and what’s happening here — where the actual dollars that go to support that at the city level are being held up,” Seattle Deputy Mayor Greg Wong told Politico.

KRISTI NOEM TRANSPORTED TO DC HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE

The lawsuit is the latest of many challenging the Trump administration for its decision to freeze or withhold federal funds. On Monday, a federal judge ruled that the administration’s decision to terminate certain NIH grants was illegal, calling it “government racial discrimination.”

The Washington Examiner reached out to the DHS for comment.