Attorney General Charity Clark announced a preliminary success in her legal challenge against President Donald Trump's administration regarding the freezing of federal grants and loans. A federal judge in Rhode Island has issued a temporary restraining order preventing the Trump administration from enforcing a blanket freeze on federal funding. This order will remain in effect until the court addresses a motion for a preliminary injunction.
"The funding freeze has now been blocked, and I couldn't be prouder of my team and my colleagues around the country for their tremendous work," stated Attorney General Charity Clark. "I want Vermonters to know that I will always fight to uphold our Constitution, our State’s sovereignty, and our rights."
The lawsuit was filed by Vermont along with 22 other states. It claims that the Trump administration's directive violates both the U.S. Constitution and federal law by imposing new conditions on previously awarded funding. Despite President Trump's rescinding of the memo hours before an initial hearing, public statements suggested that the freeze remained effective. The states argued this move was an attempt to sidestep legal action.
During proceedings, Judge John J. McConnell presided over arguments from both sides. The Department of Justice contended that since the memo had been withdrawn, there was no longer grounds for legal action; however, Judge McConnell dismissed this argument as a "distinction without a difference." He ordered both parties to submit proposals for his consideration.
Judge McConnell concluded that President Trump exceeded his authority by attempting to override Congress's policy decisions and failing to execute laws passed by Congress concerning appropriated funds. In his ruling, he emphasized, “Congress has not given the Executive limitless power to broadly and indefinitely pause all funds that it has expressly directed to specific recipients and purposes and therefore the Executive’s actions violate the separation of powers.”
The freezing of these funds has affected various programs nationwide, including WIC, Head Start, LIHEAP, Medicare enrollment assistance programs, school meals for low-income students, support services for homeless veterans and victims of domestic violence, as well as refugee assistance programs.
A copy of Judge McConnell's decision is available online.