President Trump announced no federal funding for CA High-Speed Rail project

(FOX40.COM) — U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced on Wednesday that the Federal Railroad Administration has terminated almost $4 billion in unspent federal funding for the California High Speed Rail.
• Video above: California High-Speed Rail Authority vows to move forward despite Trump calling for investigation

Duffy stated in a press release that after 16 years and a little over $15 billion spent, not one high-speed track has been laid by the CHRSA, and the project is projected to cost $135 billion, which could buy every San Francisco and LA resident nearly 200 round-trip tickets between cities.

“This is California’s fault. Governor Newsom and the complicit Democrats have enabled this waste for years. Federal dollars are not a blank check – they come with a promise to deliver results. After over a decade of failures, CHSRA’s mismanagement and incompetence has proven it cannot build its train to nowhere on time or on budget,” said Duffy. “It’s time for this boondoggle to die. President Trump and I will always fight to ensure your tax dollars only go to projects that accomplish great, big, beautiful things.” 

Officials said that this decision follows FRA’s comprehensive compliance review, after which CHRSA was given two chances to respond multiple times with the grant agreements. There was no response when it came to addressing FRA’s significant concerns, which meant that CHRSA cannot fulfill its obligations under the grant agreement.

United States President Donald J. Trump took to social media with the following statements:

Gov. Gavin Newsom took to X and retweeted what Secretary Sean Duffy posted and said the following statement:

“Won’t be taking advice from the guy who can’t keep planes in the sky,” Newsom said.

Newsom also said in a press release, “Trump wants to hand China the future and abandon the Central Valley. We won’t let him. With projects like the Texas high-speed rail failing to take off, we are miles ahead of others. We’re now in the track-laying phase and building America’s only high-speed rail. California is putting all options on the table to fight this illegal action.” 

FOX40 Capitol Correspondent Eytan Wallace stated that supporters of the High-Speed Rail have argued that the project will benefit California’s economy and the future of transportation.

Wallace also said that opponents point to the original plan presented to voters in 2008, which showed the project would cost only about $45 billion. However, the estimated costs have skyrocketed, with projections now indicating that the project could cost between $88 and $128 billion.

Officials stated that the High-Speed Rail authorities hope to complete the Bakersfield to Merced portion of the project around 2033, but at this time, it is unknown when the full route will be finished.