President Donald Trump canceled nearly $1 billion in federal funding for the high-speed rail project in 2019, during his first term. The Biden administration later restored the funding and, in December 2023, allocated $3.3 billion more.

Much needed to be done with that money. But California wanted to plow those tax dollars into environmental bragging rights.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy ordered a "compliance" review of the project, hinting that $4 billion of federal funds could be at risk.