Columbus Sues Trump Administration Over $11 Billion Funding Cuts

Ohio State Capitol Building in Columbus — Source: Ray Tan / Getty

The City of Columbus has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, accusing it of unlawfully slashing more than $11 billion in federal funding meant for infectious disease programs.

City Attorney Zach Klein announced the legal action Friday, saying Columbus Public Health had been expecting over $3 million in federal funding from Congress before the cuts were announced in March.

The loss of funding forced the health department to eliminate nearly a dozen positions, leaving just 11 employees responsible for handling infectious disease investigations.

Ohio is currently dealing with a measles outbreak that has already seen 30 confirmed cases this year.

The lawsuit claims the Trump administration violated the U.S. Constitution by terminating funds that had already been appropriated by Congress. It also accuses the administration of violating Department of Health and Human Services regulations intended to support infectious disease response efforts.

“This funding helped us respond quickly to outbreaks like measles and mpox,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Mysheika Roberts. “Without the 11 staff funded by the grant, we no longer have the staff to respond proactively to infectious disease outbreaks in vulnerable locations like schools and long-term care facilities.”