Second federal judge orders temporary pause to Trump administration efforts to freeze funding

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In the most recent developments regarding the allocation of trillions of dollars in grants and loans.

US District Court Judge John McConnell sided with nearly two dozen states that sought an emergency order to prevent most federal agencies from ceasing funding.

Last week minutes before its scheduled start, a short-term order was put into place, but it is only set to remain in effect until Monday unless extended.

McConnell directed the federal government to refrain from "pausing, freezing, hindering, blocking, canceling, or ending" funding allocations to the states while the temporary restraining order remains in effect.

"The Court must take action in these early stages of the lawsuit, assuming the worst-case scenario because the Executive's actions are both far-reaching and vague, making it impossible to do anything else," McConnell wrote.

The White House did not promptly respond to a request for comment. Several states involved in the lawsuit welcomed the decision.

The court's decision today confirms that the President cannot unilaterally take away federal funding, particularly resources crucial for our kids, our seniors, and our economy. His actions caused uncertainty and chaos, but they also highlighted the strength of attorneys general in standing up against such abuses of power," said Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell in a statement. "My office will continue to fight to safeguard Massachusetts residents from these irresponsible and unlawful uses of power.

Rhode Island Attorney General Neronha said he appreciated McConnell recognizing the "irreparable harm that this directive would cause, and honestly, has already caused, to Americans across the country."

No mistake - this federal funding pause was a deliberate attempt to instill fear and chaos, and it clearly achieved that goal," Neronha stated. "The tactics used are meant to exhaust us, but each time we win a legal battle, we demonstrate that these substantial and unlawful interruptions won't be ignored, and we'll respond promptly and firmly now and in the future.

The federal government voiced its opposition, stating that there was no justification for what they called "sweeping relief."

The decision from McConnell, who is based in Rhode Island and was named to his position by former President Barack Obama, comes despite the Office of Management and Budget cancelling a memo that put on hold all federal loans and grants.

McConnell found that the recession was "in name-only" and his order was still necessary.

The White House press secretary stated that a funding halt is still being planned in accordance with President Donald Trump's series of executive orders.

The Republican president aims to boost production of fossil fuels, eliminate safeguards for transgender individuals and halt initiatives focused on diversity, equity and inclusion.

That accounts for trillions of dollars from Washington.

Administration officials stated the pause was necessary in order to assess whether spending was aligned with Trump's executive orders on matters such as climate change and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. However, just two days later, a two-sentence notice was sent out revoking the original memo.

A day later, officials from the Trump administration stated that programs providing direct assistance to Americans, such as Medicare, Social Security, student loans, and food stamps, would not be impacted. However, this didn't provide much relief from the confusion that still existed.

High-ranking officials claimed that even with the chaos, their actions were successful in reminding federal agencies of their duty to follow Trump's executive orders, which in turn led states to ask for a temporary restraining order.

In their filing, lawyers for Trump's Justice Department claimed that the federal court was without the necessary authority to make a ruling and that the plaintiffs were unable to use an order initially intended to specifically counter the OMB memo to pursue broader action.

They also argued that Trump and the OMB "plainly have the authority to instruct agencies to fully implement the President's agenda, in accordance with each individual agency's underlying legal powers."

"The president's power to tell lower-level organizations to carry out his plans is well-established, as long as those organizations have the authority to take action under their own laws," Brett Shumate, who is serving as acting assistant attorney general, stated.

The verdict in favor of the states was anticipated.

McConnell stated during a hearing on the initial state request that he understands the potential harm a federal funding freeze could cause to the states.

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Contributing to this story was Lindsay Whitehurst, Associated Press writer in Washington.