Former President Donald Trump is strategically withholding federal grant money from states like New York and Illinois in an effort to undermine political adversaries, according to Bill O’Reilly.

During an appearance on NewsNation with Chris Cuomo, O’Reilly explained that Trump’s latest legal actions against New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James are part of a broader strategy to retaliate against those who have pursued legal battles against him.

Gov. Kathy Hochul tours the Homes for Heroes housing development in Tappan July 10, 2024.

“Trump wants to get Letitia James and Alvin Bragg, that’s what this story is all about, nothing else,” O’Reilly stated. He pointed out that Trump also went after Illinois due to his feud with Governor J.B. Pritzker.

Aug 20, 2024; Chicago, IL, USA; Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks during the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasper Colt-USA TODAY

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“The way to do that is to deny the states of Illinois and New York the federal grant money,” O’Reilly continued.

“The New York Post reports today, $8 billion is going to get held up by the Justice Department that would have flowed into New York State, which is running an astronomical deficit here.”

O’Reilly explained that Trump’s tactic is simple: file civil suits against state leaders to tie up federal funding and apply political pressure.

Chris Cuomo questioned why New York City Mayor Eric Adams was not included in Trump’s list of targets, especially since Chicago’s mayor was singled out in the Illinois case.

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“It’s kind of weird that you can say he has no power, but he’s in charge of the city,” Cuomo said.

“And when they went after Pritzker in Illinois, they named Chicago, and they went after the mayor. I’m just saying if you’re going after the city of Chicago, you name the mayor.”

O’Reilly dismissed Adams as irrelevant in Trump’s broader plan, suggesting that the real power lies elsewhere.

“Johnson and Adams have no power whatsoever, none. They do what they’re told to do,” O’Reilly responded.

“The real power lies in the state legislature. Now in both Illinois and New York, state legislature gives the big middle finger to Homeland Security, because blank you.”

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O’Reilly speculated that Adams may have inside knowledge about Letitia James and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

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“Trump wants to get Letitia. James, Hochul is just an ornament. Doesn’t have any bad feeling toward Hochul,” O’Reilly said.

“But Adams, the deal that was made, I don’t know what Adams is giving Trump. I have to tell the audience up front. I don’t know, and I don’t use anonymous sources, but I have gotten call after call after call that said, and all of these people have agendas. They’re saying that Adams knows where the bodies are buried with James and Bragg. Just throwing it out for your consumption. I’m not reporting it to be true, but it kind of makes sense, right?”

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O’Reilly predicted that California Governor Gavin Newsom will soon find himself in Trump’s crosshairs, following the same pattern as Hochul and Pritzker.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signs the fast food bill AB1228 in Los Angeles, on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. California’s fast food workers will have a minimum wage of $20 per hour next year under a new law.

“The Trump administration knows that these mayors… these guys have no power. They do what they’re told to do,” O’Reilly said.

“The big power is Newsom in California. Newsom is next. Hey, Gavin, they’re coming for you.”

He further predicted that Trump will ultimately succeed in taking down his biggest adversaries.

“Pritzker is going to get destroyed, and Trump will bring down— and I’m going to predict it here— he will bring down Letitia James and Alvin Bragg because they went on a crusade to destroy him, and President Trump is not a forgiving man.”

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With Trump’s administration reportedly holding back billions in federal funds, the political ramifications for New York, Illinois, and potentially California are mounting.

As O’Reilly suggested, Trump’s legal and financial pressure tactics could significantly impact his political rivals as he continues to battle legal challenges ahead of the 2024 election cycle.

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