Trump administration withholds child care funding from five Democratic-led states over fraud concerns

The Trump administration announced it is withholding federal child care funds for programs in five Democratic-led states, citing fraud concerns; officials have not publicly released detailed evidence.

The administration said it is withholding federal child care funding for programs in five Democratic-led states, citing concerns about fraud. Department of Health and Human Services officials accused state leaders of allowing large amounts of fraud but have not released detailed evidence or data. The states named are California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota and New York. Minnesota had already seen a pause on some child care funds amid local investigations. Key points: - HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon said Democrat-led states have been complicit in allowing large amounts of fraud, according to the administration's statement. - The administration has not provided detailed evidence publicly to support the broader fraud claims or the plan to withhold funds. - The five states identified are California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota and New York, and several said they had not received formal notice of a wider funding pause. - New York’s governor said the state is prepared to challenge the action in court, and HHS has indicated states will need to provide more verification for child care funds. Summary: The announcement affects federal child care support in five Democratic-led states and follows earlier pauses in Minnesota; several states report they have not been formally notified. New York has signaled a likely legal challenge, and broader details and timing of the administration's plan remain undetermined at this time.