U.S. Court Issues Setback to Trump’s Controversial Funding Freeze
Groups opposing former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed freeze on federal funding expressed relief following a ruling by a judge in Washington, D.C. on Monday. This decision comes closely after a similar ruling from another court last Friday.
Following her administrative hold last week, District Judge Loren AliKhan issued a temporary restraining order. Her initial action to block the policy led the Trump administration to withdraw the relevant directive from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Both AliKhan and District Judge John J. McConnell Jr. from Rhode Island saw the need for additional measures, pointing to communications from the White House as their basis.
Judge McConnell’s ruling on Friday originated from a lawsuit brought by the attorneys general of 22 states and D.C., and it was specifically applicable to those states. The case before AliKhan was initiated by Democracy Forward on behalf of several groups including the American Public Health Association, Main Street Alliance, the National Council of Nonprofits, and SAGE. They all applauded the judge’s 30-page decision which prevents the Trump administration from “implementing, giving effect to, or reinstating under a different name the directives” outlined in the OMB memo.
Dr. Georges C. Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association, commented on Monday, “Stopping federal agency grants would significantly hinder state, local, tribal, and territorial health departments from receiving essential funds for public health, prevention initiatives, and research.” He added, “Today’s ruling is a crucial victory in sustaining these vital programs. We will persist in our efforts with partners to safeguard funds for public health, which were sanctioned by Congress and are crucial for saving lives.”
Diane Yentel, CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits, remarked that these organizations “have been left uncertain by the Trump administration’s indifferent actions” and “now, finally have the clarity needed to continue their critical work.”
Yentel further stressed, “We are committed to doing everything in our power to stop this administration’s dangerous efforts to cut funding that would jeopardize lives and safety, from suspending research on childhood cancer treatments to slashing food assistance, reducing protection from domestic violence, and shutting down suicide hotlines.”
SAGE’s CEO Michael Adams, representing older LGBTQ+ individuals and their caregivers, also underscored the detrimental effects of the funding freeze.
“Limiting federal grants and loans would drastically affect the lives of older Americans, including LGBTQ+ seniors who face greater risks of health problems, disabilities, and social isolation, and often have difficulty accessing necessary care and services,” he stated. “We are thankful for this ruling, which shields our older community members, friends, and family from the detrimental freeze on federal grants and loans.”
Richard Trent, executive director of Main Street Alliance, highlighted the dependency of businesses on federal funding for essential services such as infrastructure development, workforce training, and childcare programs that enable small businesses to prosper.
“America’s Main Streets cannot afford for these services to fail,” Trent continued, “and this ruling is a significant step forward in the battle to preserve the funding that small businesses rely on.”
Even though the ruling by AliKhan—a nominee of former Democratic President Joe Biden—is another move toward countering Trump’s funding cut efforts, Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, recognized that the struggle is ongoing.
“The Trump administration’s OMB grant freeze memo cast people and communities nationwide into turmoil and uncertainty as they awaited confirmation on whether critical services—from childcare to eldercare, from food services to health programs, to community projects—would proceed,” Perryman explained.
“This order gives us the necessary space to allow our clients to continue providing services that people across the country depend on,” she concluded. “We are eager to advance this case based on its merits in court on behalf of our clients and the American public.”
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