There' plenty to fix in some of these recipient agencies, just look at the CAHSRA fiasco, as a worst case example. But, that's not what this is really about, at all.

This withholding of Congressionally approved funding, from projects that have been approved and are under full funding agreements with FTA or FHWA would appear to be entirely about political games. It is not really aimed at any identified flaw in performance or competency issue to do with the recipient transit or rail agencies, nor has it to do with the merits of the respective rail or transit projects.

This just appears to be another case of our giant infantile orange clown, throwing another tantrum, and showing his usual contempt for the very budget that he signed, and the Republican Congress (or any "Congress" that thinks it can tell him what to do) that passed it. He knows no better, from what I've seen, and would appear to care even less, about the rule of law.

Can you show that this illegal impoundment of transit and rail funds authorized by Congress, is based on political leanings?

That would be interesting if it turns out to be true, although not that surprising, given his current mental state...