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In reply to the discussion: 'Liens on their property': Dem reveals blue states' secret weapon against Trump [View all]
BumRushDaShow
(164,458 posts)9. The "Liens on their property" is more of an analogy/euphemistic term
There was a news OP about this last weekend when the idea was floated - https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143487883
Since that article, actual legislation has been introduced.
From that linked NBC article - https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/trumps-funding-freezes-states-new-gambit-withholding-federal-money-rcna215212
(snip)
In all four states, the bills direct state officials to withhold payments owed by the states to the federal government if federal agencies have acted in contravention of judicial orders or have taken unlawful actions to withhold funds previously appropriated by Congress. Payments available for withholding include the federal taxes collected from the paychecks of state employees, as well as grant payments owed back to the federal government.
(snip)
In all four states, the bills direct state officials to withhold payments owed by the states to the federal government if federal agencies have acted in contravention of judicial orders or have taken unlawful actions to withhold funds previously appropriated by Congress. Payments available for withholding include the federal taxes collected from the paychecks of state employees, as well as grant payments owed back to the federal government.
(snip)
At the state government level, that is basically all they have control over, where the private sector directly forwards their employee federal tax withholdings themselves.
However when you have large "blue" trifecta states like California, New York, Illinois, and New Jersey, which also may have a large "blue" County and Municipal workforce (who are not considered "state employees" but "county" or "municipal" employees), similar could be deployed.
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'Liens on their property': Dem reveals blue states' secret weapon against Trump [View all]
BumRushDaShow
Jul 2025
OP
I have been saying that the states who he moves against should do something like this.
OldBaldy1701E
Jul 2025
#1
It definitely doesn't sound legal, but it can at least delay and maybe deny state funds to an asset
ancianita
Jul 2025
#35
They can drag their feet like tfg, tie it up in courts and not comply with the rulings.. What are they gonna do, sue?
mitch96
Jul 2025
#46
Not a crime at all. There's no federal statute mandating the process whereby withholding makes its way to the Feds.
paleotn
Jul 2025
#27
Nice idea but Supreme Court will eventually intervene against states. Is K-9 funding mandated by congress?
lostnfound
Jul 2025
#4
How would the states get the employer to give them the money instead of it being sent directly to the US Treasury?
MichMan
Jul 2025
#49
I didn't see any specifics in the OP about what type of state payments would be held.
MichMan
Jul 2025
#54
There is nothing in that article, nor an earlier NBC one, that says anything about "federal property".
BumRushDaShow
Jul 2025
#20
I don't think this has to do with what they call "real property" (buildings)
BumRushDaShow
Jul 2025
#41