New York Attorney General Letitia James announced that she filed new lawsuits against President Donald Trump's administration, related to offshore wind projects.
James also launched a high-profile lawsuit against the Trump administration over federal policies affecting social welfare. The case is part of a multistate effort contesting a freeze on $10 billion in federal funds for child care and other vital programs supporting low-income families.
James, a Democrat and high-profile critic of Trump, has faced repeated attempts at federal prosecution while drawing scrutiny from the president and Republican leaders, who claim her own prosecutorial efforts are politically driven. They also accused the Biden administration of weaponizing the Department of Justice (DOJ) and targeting Trump and his allies.
In a post to X on Friday evening, James said, "I'm filing two lawsuits against the Trump administration for illegally trying to stop construction on offshore wind projects off Long Island that will power over a million homes. New Yorkers deserve clean energy, good-paying union jobs, and a government that follows the law."
The new suits seek to block the U.S. Department of the Interior's suspension of New York's Sunrise Wind and Empire Wind offshore projects. The department's order, issued December 22, 2025, required immediate pause of construction, citing "national security" concerns based on classified information.
"The prime duty of the United States government is to protect the American people," Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said in a press release announcing the pause of offshore wind leases last month. "Today's action addresses emerging national security risks, including the rapid evolution of the relevant adversary technologies, and the vulnerabilities created by large-scale offshore wind projects with proximity near our east coast population centers. The Trump administration will always prioritize the security of the American people."
The state contends that both projects underwent years of rigorous review, including national security assessments before construction and that the abrupt halt was unlawful and jeopardizes the power supply for over 1 million homes, thousands of jobs and climate progress.
Democratic New York Governor Kathy Hochul, in a news release about the lawsuits on Friday: "New York will not back down in our fight for a clean energy future and I commend Attorney General James for taking this action to lift the unlawful stop work orders on New York's two offshore wind projects under construction."
"The Trump administration's incomprehensible obsession with shutting down these fully permitted projects lacks legal justification, hurts his stated goal of U.S. energy independence, and will cost New York thousands of jobs and needed power to keep the lights on and attract economic development opportunities. These unlawful actions cannot stand."
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen M. Harris, in a statement from the press release: "Empire Wind and Sunrise Wind are critical large-scale electricity projects for New York state."
"Together, they will generate more than 1,700 megawatts of power -- enough to meet roughly 10 percent of the electricity needs of New York City and Long Island. Federal actions are once again putting New York's energy reliability, affordability, and clean energy progress at risk. These projects are essential to support the reliability of our electrical grid, local jobs and economic development, and delivery of affordable, clean power New Yorkers depend on. I commend Attorney General James and Governor Hochul for standing up for New York as we continue to fight for an affordable, abundant, reliable, and clean energy future for our state."
Trump, in an August Truth Social post: "Any State that has built and relied on WINDMILLS and SOLAR for power are seeing RECORD BREAKING INCREASES IN ELECTRICITY AND ENERGY COSTS. THE SCAM OF THE CENTURY! We will not approve wind or farmer destroying Solar. The days of stupidity are over in the USA!!! MAGA"
The ongoing legal battles are likely to further elevate the political clash between state leaders and the Trump administration over federal authority and policy direction on both renewable energy and social welfare.