Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Spending Freeze, Delivering Major Legal Setback
A federal judge in Rhode Island has issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administration’s attempt to freeze federal grant payments and congressionally approved government programs, marking a major legal setback for the former president’s sweeping spending overhaul.
The ruling, handed down Thursday by U.S. District Judge John McConnell Jr., is the second federal court order preventing the spending freeze from taking effect. It comes in response to a lawsuit brought by Democratic attorneys general from 22 states and Washington, D.C., who argued that the Trump administration’s move violated constitutional spending powers granted to Congress.
Judge: Trump Overstepped Executive Authority
In his strongly worded ruling, McConnell Jr. slammed the administration’s unilateral spending freeze, stating that it “fundamentally undermines the distinct constitutional roles of each branch of our government.”
“The interaction of the three co-equal branches of government is an intricate, delicate, and sophisticated balance—but it is crucial to our form of constitutional governance,” McConnell Jr. wrote. “Here, the Executive put itself above Congress, imposing a categorical mandate on spending without regard to congressional authority.”
Although the ruling is a rebuke of Trump’s fiscal policy, the injunction only applies to the states that participated in the lawsuit.
Democratic Attorneys General Applaud Decision
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha praised the court’s ruling, calling it a “clear defense of constitutional checks and balances.”
“Right now, the Judicial Branch stands strong,” Neronha said. “The president cannot impose his will where he does not have constitutional power. While he may continue to try, we will continue to fight.”
New York Attorney General Letitia James echoed that sentiment, warning the administration against further attempts to override congressional spending authority.
“Despite what Trump may think, the power of the purse belongs to Congress,” James said on social media. “Our lawsuit will continue, and I will keep fighting to protect New Yorkers and defend the law.”
Trump Administration Expected to Appeal
Legal experts anticipate that Trump’s legal team will swiftly appeal the ruling, as the former president has vowed to fight back against judicial roadblocks to his aggressive fiscal policies.
The case stems from a January memo issued by the White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which ordered an immediate freeze on federal spending while the administration conducted a sweeping review of government programs. The move caused widespread confusion, jeopardizing Medicaid payments, school funding, hospital grants, and housing assistance.
Amid backlash, the White House withdrew the memo but doubled down on its effort to reassess federal expenditures. The administration has argued that pausing payments is within the president’s executive authority, while critics say it is an unconstitutional power grab.
Trump Faces Mounting Legal Challenges Over Federal Spending
The Rhode Island case is just one of multiple legal battles surrounding Trump’s spending freeze.
Last month, a federal judge in Washington, D.C., issued a temporary injunction in a separate lawsuit brought by a coalition of nonprofit organizations. That case challenges Trump’s attempts to cut off billions in funding for government aid programs.
Trump adviser Elon Musk has reportedly been a key figure in the administration’s broader effort to overhaul the federal workforce and slash government expenditures. Under Trump’s directives, the administration has moved to fire thousands of federal workers and dismantle multiple government agencies, sparking a wave of lawsuits.
While courts have blocked some of these efforts, Trump’s legal team has sought ways to circumvent court orders and push forward with spending reductions.
Supreme Court Sides With Trump on Foreign Aid Freeze
In a separate case involving foreign aid funding, the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld a lower court’s decision allowing the administration to temporarily halt $2 billion in payments. That ruling marked a rare victory for Trump amid a series of legal defeats on domestic spending.
With Thursday’s Rhode Island ruling reinforcing judicial opposition to the spending freeze, the legal battle over Trump’s executive authority is far from over.
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