President Donald Trump criticized California's high-speed rail project, citing delays and cost overruns. He pledged a federal investigation into the spending of billions of dollars allocated to the project. Trump's remarks follow a scathing report by the project's inspector general, which expressed doubts about its ability to meet its 2033 deadline for passenger service between Merced and Bakersfield.
FILE – In this Feb. 26, 2015, file photo, a full-scale mock-up of a high-speed train is displayed at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif. President Donald Trump denounced California’s bullet train for the project’s delays and rising costs on Tuesday, and said his administration would investigate how billions of federal and state dollars have been spent.
Trump’s remarks came just 24 hours after the project’s inspector general, Benjamin Belnap, issued a sharply worded report on the first phase of what is envisioned as a statewide system, saying it’s unlikely that the High-Speed Rail Authority can meet its current goal of beginning passenger service between Merced and Bakersfield by 2033.
Since then, state officials have struggled to complete the 119-mile initial segment between Chowchilla and an orchard near Shafter, much less the 52 miles of extensions to Merced and Bakersfield that Gov. Gavin Newsom sought after becoming governor in 2019. He’s changed his tune in recent years as the Biden administration ponied up billions in federal support.
Project officials have estimated that a statewide system would reduce auto travel by 10 million miles a day, but Californians drive nearly a billion miles each day. A 10 million-mile reduction would ostensibly cut emissions by scarcely 1%.
CALIFORNIA HIGH-SPEED RAIL DONALD TRUMP FEDERAL INVESTIGATION COST OVERRUNS PROJECT DELAYS
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
California Governor Denounces Looting Amid Wildfire Crisis, Dispelling Social Media MisinformationSocial media has been spreading false claims that Governor Newsom decriminalized looting in California. This is untrue. Looting is illegal in California during states of emergency and disasters. Governor Newsom has publicly condemned looting, and law enforcement agencies are actively addressing it.
Read more »
California Fights Back Against Trump's Anti-Transgender Policies: 'Trump-Proofing' Laws and Protecting Transgender YouthCalifornia is taking aggressive action to protect the rights of transgender individuals in response to President Trump's attempts to roll back their legal protections. From healthcare access to sports participation, the state is pushing back against federal mandates, vowing to uphold its commitment to transgender equality.
Read more »
Special counsel Jack Smith personally denounces Trump's conduct, calls his accusations 'laughable'The criticism came in a letter Smith wrote accompanying his final report.
Read more »
Faithful America Denounces Trump's 'Pay-to-Pray' Inauguration PlanA petition started by Faithful America, a Christian social justice group, denounces President-elect Donald Trump's reported plan to offer a 'pay-to-pray' service during his inauguration. The petition argues that the plan, which reportedly asks for donations between $100,000 and $2 million for access to a private prayer service with Trump, is an exploitation of religious faith for political gain.
Read more »
Pope Francis Denounces Trump's Mass Deportation Plans as 'Disgrace'Pope Francis has criticized President-elect Donald Trump's planned mass deportations, calling the policy a 'disgrace' and urging a more humane approach to immigration. The Pope's comments come as Trump prepares to take office and implement his controversial immigration agenda, which includes increased border security and mass deportations.
Read more »
Pope Francis Denounces Trump's Mass Deportation Plans as 'Disgrace'Pope Francis condemned the incoming U.S. president's plans for mass deportations of immigrants, calling them a 'disgrace' during an appearance on an Italian talk show. He emphasized that resolving societal problems should not involve punishing the most vulnerable. Despite his criticism, Francis also sent a congratulatory telegram to President Trump, expressing hope for a just and inclusive society in America.
Read more »