Governor Newsom calls move to revoke high-speed rail project money “illegal”

The Trump administration decided to cancel federal funding for a nearly $1 billion high-speed rail project in California Thursday, a move Governor Gavin Newsom says is “illegal” and a “direct assault” on the state. He also said California will defend its right to the money in court.

The Federal Railroad Administration said it will not give California the money because it has not made progress and has diverged from the original vision.

Governor Newsom’s office says he’s still committed to a full line between Los Angeles and San Francisco, but the project could be killed without the money.

The argument over funding started in February when Newsom said the state should focus on building a line in the Central Valley first. Now he says the move to cancel the money is an effort by the president to get political retribution on the state.