Second Judge Extends Block on Freezing of Federal Funds

Federal District Court Judge John McConnell Jr. became the second judge to grant a preliminary injunction against Donald Trump’s widespread freeze of federal funding.

The case was brought by 22 Democratic state Attorneys General. Previously, McConnell issued a temporary restraining order to block the funding freeze while he considered the case. Before McConnell’s ruling, on 25 February 2025 District Court Judge Loren AliKhan granted a similar preliminary injunction in a case brought on behalf of thousands of non-profits and small businesses.

McConnell’s order will continue while the case goes through the courts. It applies only to the states that brought the case, not to predominantly Republican states which did not join in bringing the lawsuit.

McConnell’s ruling included, “The Executive has not pointed to any constitutional or statutory authority that would allow them to impose this type of categorical freeze. The Court is not limiting the Executive’s discretion or micromanaging the administration of federal funds. Rather, consistent with the Constitution, statutes, and caselaw, the Court is simply holding that the Executive’s discretion to impose its own policy preferences on appropriated funds can be exercised only if it is authorized by the congressionally approved appropriations statutes.”

Trump’s regime rescinded its memo specifying the funding freeze. The states told the court that numerous programs are still waiting for federal funds that were already ordered unfrozen and there is no sign of when or whether the money will come through. Many universities and non-profit organizations also say much of their federal funding is frozen.

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