A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration violated a court order lifting a freeze on government spending, directing officials to immediately release withheld funds.
U.S. District Judge John McConnell, based in Rhode Island, had already issued a temporary restraining order on January 31, blocking a sweeping freeze on federal funds. However, Democratic state officials who had sued to overturn the freeze reported that money was still being withheld.
In a sharply worded decision, McConnell stated that the administration’s actions had caused “irreparable harm” and were likely unconstitutional. He emphasized that his order had been “clear and unambiguous” in requiring the release of all frozen funds.
The ruling is the latest legal setback for the administration’s efforts to impose broad spending restrictions, a move that has sparked multiple lawsuits. Officials argued that the spending freeze did not apply to certain infrastructure and environmental projects, while also citing operational delays.
Meanwhile, in a separate case, federal employee unions have accused the administration of disregarding a court order related to reinstating workers at the U.S. Agency for International Development, adding to the mounting legal challenges.
With the administration vowing to appeal, the legal battle over federal spending restrictions is far from over.
