Attorney General Dan Rayfield has announced a preliminary victory in a legal battle against President Donald Trump's Office of Management & Budget. The lawsuit challenges a memo that froze federal grants and loans, claiming it was an illegal act.
Rayfield stated, "The court’s ruling marks a crucial step in holding the administration accountable for overreach and its disregard for the law." He emphasized that the decision would ensure Oregonians continue to receive essential services impacting public safety, health, and nutrition. Rayfield also expressed readiness to continue fighting if necessary to protect the rights of Oregonians from unlawful actions.
A federal judge in Rhode Island issued a temporary restraining order preventing the Trump administration from enforcing a freeze on federal funding. This order comes as part of a lawsuit filed by Oregon alongside 22 other states. The lawsuit argues that the memo violates both the U.S. Constitution and federal law by imposing new conditions on previously awarded funding.
Although President Trump rescinded the memo hours before an initial hearing, statements from the White House suggested that the freeze remained in effect. Judge John J. McConnell agreed with the coalition of states, asserting that the President had exceeded his authority by overriding Congress's policy decisions and failing to execute laws passed by Congress.
The funding freeze had impacted communities across Oregon and nationwide, affecting programs such as WIC, Head Start, Medicare, and public safety initiatives. States joining Oregon in this legal action include Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island Vermont Washington Wisconsin and the District of Columbia.