Trump Cutting Federal Funds To Who?

The Trump administration announced Tuesday that it is moving to tighten restrictions on how federal taxpayer dollars can be used to fund electric vehicle charging stations.

Under a new proposal from the U.S. Department of Transportation, federal funding would be limited exclusively to electric vehicle chargers made entirely with American-manufactured components. Current rules allow chargers to qualify for federal money if just 55 percent of their component costs are sourced domestically.

Administration officials say the change is intended to stop taxpayer dollars from flowing overseas and to push manufacturers to bring production back to the United States.

Biden Infrastructure Law Poured Billions Into EV Chargers

The proposal targets funding created under the Biden-era Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which allocated billions of dollars to expand EV charging infrastructure nationwide. The program was designed to accelerate electric vehicle adoption, but critics say it relied too heavily on foreign supply chains.

Last month, a federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration from withholding approximately $5 billion in funds tied to the program. Despite the ruling, the administration is pressing forward with new requirements that emphasize domestic manufacturing.

Administration Says New Rules Put America First

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the Biden administration’s EV charging program failed to meet its goals while sending taxpayer dollars abroad.

In a statement, Duffy criticized former President Joe Biden and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, saying their policies promised results but delivered little.

“They talked a big game, but their poorly designed program failed to deliver EV chargers or strengthen American manufacturing,” Duffy said. “Now we’re making sure that if Congress wants chargers built, they’re built in America. This will boost U.S. manufacturing, protect national security, and stop taxpayer dollars from subsidizing foreign adversaries.”

Environmental Groups Push Back on Manufacturing Requirement

Left-leaning environmental groups quickly criticized the proposal. Sierra Club Clean Transportation for All Director Katherine García accused the administration of undermining EV infrastructure expansion.

She argued that requiring 100 percent U.S.-made components could slow charger deployment and limit access in some communities, calling the move a bad-faith effort to weaken the program.

Supporters of the administration’s policy argue the opposite — that prioritizing American manufacturing ensures long-term stability, job creation, and greater energy independence, rather than relying on foreign suppliers tied to hostile nations.