A United States federal judge has ruled that the administration of President Donald Trump did not fully comply with his order halting a federal spending freeze that has thrown the government into chaos.
On Monday, US District Judge John McConnell called for all funding to be restored, as courts consider whether the spending freeze is constitutional.
States had reported continued trouble accessing federal funds, even after McConnell paused the Trump administration’s freeze on January 31.
“These pauses in funding violate the plain text of the [temporary restraining order],” McConnell wrote. “The broad categorical and sweeping freeze of federal funds is, as the Court found, likely unconstitutional and has caused and continues to cause irreparable harm to a vast portion of this country.”
The funding freeze is part of an effort by Trump and his right-wing allies to slash what they consider unnecessary federal spending.
But a group of 22 largely Democratic-led states, plus the District of Columbia, sued to block the move, arguing that Trump had overstepped his constitutional authority by deciding budget matters, a power held by Congress.
“The President cannot unilaterally halt congressional spending commitments,” New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a news release after the temporary restraining order was granted.
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