failed to show adequate progress. That line
of track would be the first built on what the
state hopes will eventually become a 520-mile
(837-kilometer) line.
But Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom says the
move is retribution for California’s criticism of
President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
“The decision was precipitated by President
Trump’s overt hostility to California, its challenge
to his border wall initiatives, and what he called
the “green disaster” high-speed rail project,” the
state said in the lawsuit.
The lawsuit further faulted the Trump
administration for halting cooperation with the
state on granting environmental clearances
for the project. It said terminating the funding
would “wreak significant economic damage on
the Central Valley and the state.”
Newsom told reporters the administration is
“after us in every way, shape or form.” But he
expressed confidence the state will win in court.
“Principles and values tend to win out over
short-term tweets,” Newsom said.
The lawsuit highlighted a series of tweets Trump
sent about the project, including one that
said California’s rail project would be far more
expensive than Trump’s proposed border wall.
That tweet came a day after California led 15
states in suing over Trump’s plans to fund the
border wall, and hours before the administration
first threatened to revoke the rail funding.
The Federal Railroad Administration did not
immediately respond to an email message
seeking comment about California’s lawsuit.
California has worked for more than a decade
on the project to bring high-speed rail service
between Los Angeles and San Francisco, but the
project has been plagued by delays and cost
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