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From the Wall Street Journal: A second federal judge has indefinitely blocked President Trump’s freeze on federal grants and loans, saying the White House had “put itself above Congress” and undermined democracy.
In a ruling on Thursday, U.S. District Judge John McConnell Jr. in Rhode Island prohibited the Trump administration from freezing or otherwise impeding the disbursement of appropriated federal funds to state governments.
The decision is a victory for Trump critics who say he has trampled on Congress’s authority in his effort to cut federal spending and overhaul agencies.
McConnell’s order follows a similar one issued by a different federal judge in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 25. The judge had previously issued a temporary restraining order, which on Thursday he converted into an injunction, a more permanent form of relief.
In his ruling, McConnell claimed that state governments face “significant disruption in health, education, and other public services” because of the funding freeze. In light of that disruption, “the Court finds that the public interest lies in maintaining the status quo and enjoining any categorical funding freeze.”
The judge also demanded that FEMA provide details of steps it has taken to unfreeze funds by March 14.
McConnell is an appointee of former President Barack Obama.
The ruling on Thursday was in response to a lawsuit filed by 22 states with Democratic attorneys general, as well as the District of Columbia.
The states involved in the lawsuit include: New York, New Jersey, California, Illinois, Rhode Island, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.
New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) gloated, “Despite what Trump may think, the power of the purse belongs to Congress. We won a court order blocking Trump’s reckless and dangerous funding freeze. Our lawsuit against this administration will now continue, and I’ll keep fighting to protect New Yorkers and defend the law.”
Despite what Trump may think, the power of the purse belongs to Congress.
We won a court order blocking Trump’s reckless and dangerous funding freeze.
Our lawsuit against this administration will now continue, and I’ll keep fighting to protect New Yorkers and defend the law.
— NY AG James (@NewYorkStateAG) March 6, 2025
New Jersey Matthew Platkin (D) also cheered their victory against the Trump administration.
VICTORY: At the behest of NJ and our partners across the country, a federal judge blocked Trump from stopping trillions in federal funding.
Medicaid. Head Start. Drug Trafficking Investigations.
And more.
All safe because of our lawsuit. pic.twitter.com/DFgJFxBPDd
— Attorney General Matt Platkin (@NewJerseyOAG) March 6, 2025
BREAKING: A federal judge on Thursday issued a nationwide injunction blocking the Trump administration from freezing federal funding without going through Congress.
Read more: https://t.co/dMQoXYpHx3 pic.twitter.com/dCuav8wKYp
— ABC News (@ABC) March 6, 2025
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