A judge ordered President Donald Trump and his administration to restore federal funding it attempted to freeze, saying the White House failed to comply with an earlier ruling.
U.S. District Judge John McConnell Jr. ordered the administration to “immediately take every step necessary to effectuate” an order he issued Jan. 31 over the funding freeze memo that created widespread confusion for states, local governments, nonprofits and researchers.
The lawsuit filed 22 states and Washington D.C., centers on a memo from Office of Management and Budget that ordered federal agencies to pause funding while the Trump administration made sure the programs complied with his executive orders, including orders on foreign aid; diversity, equity and inclusion efforts; and green new deal projects.
OMB rescinded that directive soon after the lawsuit was filed. However, the states alleged funds are still being withheld.
McConnell rebuked the White House.
“The States have presented evidence in this motion that the Defendants in some cases have continued to improperly freeze federal funds and refused to resume disbursement of appropriated federal funds,” the judge wrote. “The Defendants now plea that they are just trying to root out fraud. But the freezes in effect now were a result of the broad categorical order, not a specific finding of possible fraud. The broad categorical and sweeping freeze of federal funds is, as the Court found, likely unconstitutional and has caused and continues to cause irreparable harm to a vast portion of this country.”
Hours after the judge’s order, Trump’s Department of Justice filed a notice of its plans to appeal the ruling.
Since taking office, Trump has issued scores of executive orders as he seeks to reshape the federal government and ensure spending follows his political priorities. Multiple White House orders face legal challenges, including a deferred resignation plan.
