A US judge challenged President Donald Trump’s administration on Wednesday over its decision to terminate a $20 billion climate funding program. She demanded proof of fraud, waste, or abuse, which officials cited as reasons for shutting down the program.

Judge Orders Proof of Misconduct

US District Judge Tanya Chutkan ordered the administration to submit a sworn statement by Monday. The document must outline clear evidence of wrongdoing in the grant, which funded greenhouse gas reduction projects. "You can’t even tell me what the evidence of malfeasance is," Chutkan told a Trump administration lawyer during the hearing in Washington.

Critics Condemn Funding Seizure

Climate advocates and Democratic leaders strongly oppose the decision. They argue that it unlawfully redirects money meant for clean energy and transportation in disadvantaged communities. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin has aggressively pushed to recover funds from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. This fund, established under President Joe Biden’s administration, aimed to support projects that reduce pollution. On Tuesday night, the EPA defended its actions. Officials claimed the program did not align with agency priorities and raised concerns about fraud, waste, and abuse. However, they provided no concrete evidence.

Legal Battle Over Climate Funds

The Climate United Fund advocacy group sued the EPA and Citigroup for withholding funds. They asked the court to order Citibank to release the money immediately. Without the funds, they warned, their operations could shut down by Friday. The Trump administration’s lawyer argued that the court no longer had jurisdiction since officials had already revoked the grant.

EPA’s Push to Reclaim Funds

The EPA is working to recover funding distributed under the Biden administration. Last year, eight organizations were selected to administer grants from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. Citibank managed the funds under an agreement with the Treasury Department. Zeldin revealed that the FBI and the Justice Department are also investigating the program. However, Democratic lawmakers have fiercely opposed their involvement, arguing these agencies lack a valid reason to probe Citibank or the grant recipients.

Democrats Challenge Federal Investigations

Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse strongly criticized the investigation in a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel. "The funding process followed a centuries-old framework that is set out transparently in a contract between Citibank and the Department of the Treasury and was announced publicly in April 2024," Whitehouse stated. He argued that federal interference in the program is unjustified. The EPA, however, promised to use the funds "with enhanced controls" while staying within legal boundaries. Still, officials have not explained how they will allocate the money.

EPA Shuts Down Environmental Justice Office

In a separate decision, the EPA announced plans to close its Office of Environmental Justice and Civil Rights. This office focused on protecting low-income and minority communities from pollution. The closure will also affect ten regional offices as part of a broader agency restructuring. The EPA placed staffers from the office on administrative leave last month. Critics argue the decision weakens protections for vulnerable communities. "It needlessly endangers the health of our children, particularly in areas overburdened by pollution," said Stephanie Reese, a director at Moms Clean Air Force, an environmental group.