A federal judge temporarily blocked U.S. President Donald Trump’s move to freeze federal funding on Tuesday, halting his administration’s ideological review aimed at dismantling progressive initiatives.
The ruling came at the end of one of the most chaotic days for the U.S. government since Trump returned to office, as uncertainty surrounding a crucial financial lifeline sparked panic among states, schools, and organizations dependent on trillions of dollars in federal funds.
U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan issued the stay just minutes before the freeze was set to take effect. The temporary order, prompted by a lawsuit from nonprofit groups reliant on federal money, will last until Monday afternoon, with another court hearing scheduled for that morning to address the issue.
The White House did not immediately comment on the ruling, leaving unresolved the potential constitutional conflict over control of taxpayer funds. Democrats, who have struggled to assert influence during Trump’s second term, criticized the president’s actions as arbitrary and illegal.
Administration officials argued that halting loans and grants was essential to ensure spending aligned with Trump’s recent executive orders. The Republican president has pushed to expand fossil fuel production, revoke protections for transgender individuals, and dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Funding Freeze Sparks Legal Backlash
A vaguely worded memo from the Office of Management and Budget, coupled with incomplete responses from the White House, left lawmakers, public officials, and ordinary Americans scrambling to understand which programs would be impacted by the funding pause. Even brief disruptions in funding could lead to layoffs and delays in essential public services.
Democrats argued that the president had no authority to unilaterally halt spending allocated by Congress. Just minutes after Judge AliKhan’s ruling, attorneys general from 22 states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit of their own, aiming to block the funding freeze and permanently prevent the administration from cutting off federal funds.
“There is no question this policy is reckless, dangerous, illegal and unconstitutional,” New York Attorney General Letitia James said.
