New York’s Attorney General, Letitia James, is again taking legal action against the federal government. On January 9, 2026, she announced major new lawsuits. These lawsuits target actions by the Trump administration. They focus on stopping offshore wind projects and freezing money for social welfare programs.
This is a big step in the fight between state leaders and federal policy. For everyone watching, these cases are about clean energy, the economy, and who controls government money.
The Battle for Clean Energy: Offshore Wind Projects Under Fire
The main lawsuit is about two big offshore wind projects. The Trump administration ordered them to stop work in December 2025. The projects are called Sunrise Wind and Empire Wind. They are built off the coast of Long Island. They are meant to power over a million New York homes. They are key to New York’s goal of clean energy by 2040.
The U.S. Department of the Interior stopped the work. They gave reasons like “national security” and radar problems. But Attorney General James says these reasons are not good or fair.
- Sunrise Wind is 30 miles east of Montauk. It is important for Long Island’s power.
- Empire Wind is 14 miles southeast of Long Island. It should power over 500,000 homes.
- Economic Impact: Stopping these projects risks thousands of jobs and billions of dollars.
James says these projects already passed ten years of safety checks. The lawsuit was filed in Washington, D.C. court. It asks the court to cancel the stop-work orders and let building start again.
Protecting the Vulnerable: The $10 Billion Social Welfare Lawsuit
In another lawsuit, Letitia James leads five states. The states are California, Colorado, Illinois, and Minnesota. They are suing because the administration froze $10 billion in federal money. This money helps important social programs:
- TANF: Gives cash help to needy families for housing and food.
- CCDF: Helps pay for childcare for low-income working parents.
- SSBG: Supports foster care and shelters for domestic violence victims.
The administration said they froze the money to look for “fraud” with benefits for undocumented immigrants. James calls this move “cruel” and “chaos.” On January 9, 2026, a judge gave a temporary order. This order blocks the funding freeze for now. It means hundreds of thousands of New York families will keep getting this important help.
ALSO Read: Washington National Opera Ends Historic Partnership with Kennedy Center
Why These Lawsuits Matter: A Constitutional Clash
These lawsuits matter for the whole country. They show a basic fight about the president’s power. James argues the administration is breaking the law. She says it is ignoring money approved by Congress and changing environmental rules without good proof.
For energy, the wind project cases will decide if offshore wind can work on the East Coast. For social services, this case is a limit on the president’s power. It stops them from using money as a tool in political fights with states led by Democrats.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the status of the offshore wind projects in NY?
Right now, in early 2026, construction is stopped because of the federal order. New York is asking the court to let the projects restart right away.
How does the social welfare lawsuit affect families?
The lawsuit got a temporary order from a judge. This means childcare help and cash assistance for low-income families will continue while the court case happens.
Who else is joining Letitia James in these lawsuits?
For the social welfare case, she is joined by the Attorneys General of California, Colorado, Illinois, and Minnesota.
Disclaimer
The news information presented here is based on available reports and reliable sources. Readers should cross-check updates from official news outlets.