The Trump Administration Tells the Truth
A court filing by the US Energy Department has confirmed that the Trump administration withheld federal grants from states based on their political voting patterns. The disclosure contradicts previous administration claims and highlights a shift toward using federal funding for political retribution.
Why it matters
This admission raises significant concerns regarding the politicization of federal resources and the erosion of democratic norms in governance.
A government lawyer admitted in a court filing that the administration withheld grants based on whom states had voted for.
Kevin Dietsch / Getty July 28, 2026, 5:50 PM ET Share Save This is an edition of The Atlantic Daily, a newsletter that guides you through the biggest stories of the day, helps you discover new ideas, and recommends the best in culture. Sign up for it here.
In a court filing earlier this month, a government lawyer did something radical: He laid out the truth in plain English.
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