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A federal judge in Rhode Island ruled Monday that the Trump administration violated a court order halting a sweeping federal funding freeze, directing the government to “immediately restore frozen funding” that had been withheld from states and federal programs.
U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell issued the ruling after a coalition of 22 states argued that the administration had failed to reinstate funding despite his Jan. 31 temporary restraining order (TRO) blocking a wide-ranging directive from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The freeze had caused nationwide disruptions, prompting legal action from multiple states.
“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,” McConnell wrote in his order.
The judge strongly rebuked the administration, stating that his initial ruling was “clear and unambiguous” and that the government’s failure to comply violated the plain text of his order.
Trump Administration Argues for Selective Freezes
The Justice Department had previously argued in court filings that certain frozen funds were not covered under McConnell’s order and that some funding was still under review to ensure it was “appropriate.”
However, McConnell rejected those arguments, writing:
“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 judge further ruled that 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.”
States Argue Freeze Threatens Jobs and Livelihoods
The coalition of 22 states that challenged the funding freeze had previously warned that the administration’s failure to restore funding was causing severe economic and social harm across the country.
“Jobs, lives, and the social fabric of life in the Plaintiff States are at risk from the disruptions and uncertainty that have continued now a full week after entry of the Order,” the states wrote in their court filing.
McConnell’s latest order mandates that federal funding be restored immediately for the duration of the TRO, which remains in effect at least until a preliminary injunction hearing scheduled later this month.
The Justice Department has not yet responded to requests for comment on the ruling.
What’s Next?
The ruling is a major setback for the Trump administration, which has sought to use executive authority to restrict federal spending across various programs. The court battle over the funding freeze is expected to continue, with the next hearing likely determining whether the order will be extended further.
As the legal fight unfolds, millions of dollars in federal aid hang in the balance, impacting states, local governments, and essential services across the country.
