California Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday vowed to fight the "illegal" move by President Donald Trump's administration to cancel some $4 billion in federal grants for the state's ambitious but much-delayed high-speed rail project.

Secretary Duffy terminated $4 billion in federal funding for California's high-speed rail project this week, citing $15 billion spent over 16 years with no high-speed track laid.

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the California High Speed Rail Authority is suing the Trump administration for pulling $4 billion for the state's high-speed rail project.

By David Shepardson and Steve Gorman WASHINGTON (Reuters) -California Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday vowed to fight an "illegal" move by President Donald Trump's administration to cancel $4 billion in federal grants for the state's ambitious but much-delayed high-speed rail project.