(CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Democratic attorneys general in several states including Illinois have announced a lawsuit asking a judge to block a federal funding freeze by the Trump administration. The freeze is to take effect 4 p.m. CST on Tuesday.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined attorneys general from five other states, including New York, California, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Rhode Island, on a virtual call Tuesday to challenge what he described as the Trump administration’s “unconstitutional pause” on federal funding. During the call, Raoul outlined the wide-ranging impacts of the funding freeze, calling it a threat to public safety, healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

“I’m happy to co-lead this action on behalf of all Americans and certainly all citizens of the state of Illinois,” Raoul said. “This unconstitutional pause in funding will have a devastating impact on the public safety, prosperity, and quality of life.”

Raoul emphasized that both Democrats and Republicans would feel the consequences of the funding halt. He pointed to its effect on law enforcement, particularly the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. “It impacts our ability to go after offenders who prey on our children,” he said. “Our task force has enabled us to capture a record number of child predators.”

The attorney general also noted that the funding pause would disrupt Byrne JAG grants used by law enforcement to fight crime, and the pause would impact Medicaid recipients, veterans, and critical research initiatives at universities. Additionally, Raoul highlighted the threat to infrastructure projects, Head Start and childcare programs, and support for farmers.

Raoul framed the funding freeze as a constitutional issue, asserting that the executive branch does not have the authority to disregard appropriations passed by Congress. “On January 20th, our nation had a peaceful transfer of power. But let’s be clear: January 20th was an inauguration, not a coronation,” he said. “Congress is given the power to appropriate the funding. The executive branch cannot unilaterally disregard those appropriations passed by a separate and equal house of government.”

The Trump administration says a sweeping pause in federal grants and loans is necessary to ensure spending complies with the president’s executive orders.

“The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve,” wrote Matthew Vaeth, the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget in a memo.

The move could affect trillions of dollars.