GAO finds Trump illegally withheld funds for EV charging stations
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has determined that former President Donald Trump unlawfully withheld $5 billion in funding for a National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, which had been approved by Congress. This action violated the 1974 Impoundment Control Act, and the GAO asserts that the federal government is required to fulfill its obligations regarding the program. In response to the finding, Senator Patty Murray criticized Trump for blocking funding that had bipartisan support. However, a representative from the White House budget office defended the decision, claiming that the Transportation Department acted within its authority to revoke the program. The controversy highlights ongoing disputes over federal funding and the actions of the Trump management, including previous accusations related to withheld aid to Ukraine.
GAO finds Trump violated law by withholding congressionally appropriated funds for EV charging stations
The Government Accountability Office found President Donald Trump’s decision to cancel $5 billion in funding for a “National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure” program already approved by Congress illegal.
The independent watchdog agency found that the Trump administration violated the 1974 Impoundment Control Act and that the federal government “must continue to carry out the statutory requirements of the program.”
“This legal decision affirms what we’ve long known: The president is breaking the law to block funding Congress passed on a bipartisan basis and that is owed to the American people — simply because he disagrees with it,” Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) said in a statement.
However, a White House budget office spokeswoman disagreed with GAO’s assessment and said the Transportation Department was “appropriately using” its authority to revoke the program.
Earlier this month, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that the EV program would be recalled. He accused the “Biden-Buttigieg Administration” of “wast[ing] time, money, and public trust” by failing to implement the program.
“The Biden-Buttigieg Administration failed miserably to deliver EV chargers despite their promises. Congress gave the Secretary the authority to issue program guidance and ensure money is being spent efficiently, and that’s exactly what we are doing,” Duffy said in a statement.
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The GAO’s findings come as its head, Gene L. Dodaro, shared that the agency has opened more than a dozen investigations into the Trump administration’s efforts to intervene with funding already approved by Congress.
During Trump’s first administration, the GAO ruled that the administration had illegally stopped $400 billion in aid to Ukraine.
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