Judge Rules Trump Must Fully Unfreeze Federal Spending/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration has not fully complied with an order to unfreeze federal spending and directed the White House to release all withheld funds. U.S. District Court Judge John McConnell found evidence that some grants and loans were still being blocked despite his previous ruling. The administration had paused funding to align spending with Trump’s agenda, but the judge said this move likely violates the Constitution. The ruling also prevents the administration from making billions in cuts to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Judge Orders Trump Administration to Release Frozen Federal Funds: Quick Looks
- Judge John McConnell ruled that the Trump administration has not fully lifted the funding freeze, despite a prior court order.
- The administration was blocking some federal grants and loans, prompting the judge to demand full compliance.
- Trump’s funding freeze aimed to align spending with his policy agenda, but courts have found it likely unconstitutional.
- The ruling also blocks billions in cuts to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced last week.
- The Justice Department argued that the ruling didn’t apply to all spending freezes, but McConnell disagreed.
- The lawsuit, brought by nearly two dozen states, challenges the White House’s authority to halt funding unilaterally.
- Another judge in Washington has also raised concerns that nonprofits were not receiving federal funding due to the freeze.
Federal Judge Rules Trump Must Fully Unfreeze Federal Spending
Court Finds Trump Administration in Violation of Spending Order
In a major legal rebuke, a federal judge ruled Monday that President Donald Trump’s administration has not fully complied with an earlier court order to unfreeze federal spending.
U.S. District Court Judge John McConnell found evidence that some federal grants and loans were still not reaching recipients, despite his temporary restraining order (TRO) in late January.
“These pauses in funding violate the plain text of the [order],” McConnell wrote.
“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.”
His latest order requires the full release of all withheld funds and specifically blocks the Trump administration from making billions in cuts to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that were announced on Friday.
The Fight Over Federal Spending
The Trump administration initially froze billions in federal funds, arguing that the pause was necessary to align spending with the president’s policy goals. The move sparked a lawsuit from nearly two dozen states, arguing that the White House lacked the authority to withhold congressionally approved funds.
Despite the January ruling that halted the freeze, Judge McConnell found that the administration was still selectively blocking funding, leading to Monday’s new court order demanding full compliance.
Trump Administration’s Defense Falls Short
The Justice Department attempted to argue that the judge’s previous ruling did not apply to all spending pauses, particularly those affecting:
- Funds from President Joe Biden’s climate, health care, and tax package
- Other budgetary programs still under review
However, Judge McConnell rejected that argument, ruling that the spending freeze in any form violates the court’s order.
“The administration has no authority to override congressional appropriations with a broad, unilateral freeze,” McConnell stated.
Other Judges Also Challenge Trump’s Funding Freeze
This is not the only legal challenge to Trump’s sweeping budget freeze.
- Another federal judge in Washington issued a separate restraining order against the policy.
- That judge raised concerns that nonprofit organizations were still not receiving their promised federal funds.
These rulings suggest growing judicial resistance to Trump’s attempts to reshape federal spending through executive action.
What Happens Next?
- The Trump administration may appeal McConnell’s ruling, setting up a legal battle over executive power and congressional authority.
- If Trump refuses to comply, the judge could impose further legal penalties.
- The case could eventually reach the Supreme Court, testing the limits of presidential authority over federal budgets.
For now, the ruling forces the White House to release all frozen funds immediately, ensuring that federal grants, loans, and NIH funding continue as originally allocated by Congress.
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