Federal Judge Orders Trump Administration to Comply with Ruling Against Federal Funding Freeze

U.S. District Judge John McConnell ruled that the Trump administration has not fully complied with his earlier order to halt a federal funding freeze1 5.

The judge ordered the administration to immediately restore frozen funding and end any federal funding pause while his temporary restraining order is in effect1 2.

The funding freeze affected various programs, including early childhood education, pollution reduction, and HIV prevention research2 3.

22 states and the District of Columbia challenged the legality of the funding freeze in court1 5.

The Trump administration argued that some funding, particularly from the Inflation Reduction Act and bipartisan infrastructure law, was outside the scope of the original order1 3.

Judge McConnell rejected this argument and stated that the broad freeze of federal funds is likely unconstitutional1 2 3.

The administration must take immediate steps to comply with the order, including clearing administrative obstacles and resuming funding to affected agencies and programs1 5.

Legal experts suggest that the administration's actions challenge Congress's constitutional power to tax and spend3.

Some federal agencies have continued to withhold or delay funding despite the court orders, citing various reasons such as fraud prevention or administrative backlogs3.

The judge's ruling emphasizes that the administration must follow the law and release funds unless there is a specific, justifiable reason to withhold them2 3 7.