Judge Blocks Trump Administration's Freeze on Federal Assistance
A federal judge in Washington, D.C. has blocked the Trump administration's attempt to freeze federal assistance, delivering a blow to the administration's efforts to shrink federal spending.
Judge Loren AliKhan ruled in favor of a group of nonprofit organizations, finding that they are likely to succeed in their challenge to the pause on all federal grants, loans, and other assistance programs. The judge agreed with the nonprofits that the "funding freeze would be economically catastrophic" and granted their request for a preliminary injunction.
AliKhan noted that the nonprofits had shown a "mountain of evidence" that even the threat of a funding freeze was enough to disrupt countless organizations. She also criticized the government's lack of a clear explanation for why they needed to freeze all federal financial assistance in such a short timeframe.
This ruling is the latest setback for the Trump administration in its efforts to overhaul the federal government. The administration has faced numerous legal challenges to its policies aimed at shrinking the size of the government, including its executive order to pause foreign assistance funding and its firing of thousands of federal workers.
In a separate case involving the funding freeze, brought by a group of 22 states and the District of Columbia, a federal judge in Rhode Island found that the Trump administration had not complied with an earlier order requiring agencies to restore any paused or withheld federal funds. The judge in that case, U.S. District Judge John McConnell, demanded the Trump administration reinstate any frozen funds and said the pause on federal assistance is likely unconstitutional.
10 Comments
Manolo Noriega
The judge is out of touch with the need for tough fiscal measures that keep our expenditures in check.
Fuerza
Freezing federal assistance is sometimes the only way to ensure fiscal discipline – this decision jeopardizes the hard work of balancing our budget.
Manolo Noriega
It’s frustrating that instead of supporting sensible budget measures, the court chooses to cater to special interest groups.
Ongania
Finally, common sense triumphs in the courtroom—freezing federal assistance would have been economically catastrophic for many communities.
Manolo Noriega
This ruling proves that accountability matters more than political posturing when people’s welfare is at stake.
Loubianka
Kudos to Judge AliKhan for standing up for nonprofits and the vulnerable organizations that rely on federal funds.
Katchuka
I support this decision wholeheartedly; it’s a strong stand against policies that ignore the real-world impacts on people’s lives.
BuggaBoom
It’s refreshing to see the courts listening to concrete evidence rather than blindly following political agendas.
KittyKat
The judge’s ruling clearly recognizes that a funding freeze would lead to a cascade of economic and social problems.
Eugene Alta
The ruling stops reckless policy changes that could have jeopardized thousands of essential nonprofit services.