Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell has announced that a federal judge in Rhode Island has granted a motion to halt the implementation of a new Trump administration policy. This policy aimed to block federal agency grants, loans, and other financial assistance programs. The motion was filed by AG Campbell's office alongside a coalition of 22 other attorneys general.
AG Campbell stated, “Today’s court decision reaffirms that the President cannot unilaterally take away federal funding, especially resources that our kids, seniors and economy rely on. His reckless actions unleashed chaos and confusion yet demonstrated the enormous power of attorneys general to fight back.” She further emphasized her commitment to protecting Massachusetts residents from "egregious and unlawful abuses of power."
The temporary restraining order extends beyond an initial six-day pause granted by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on January 28. This pause responded to a lawsuit brought by nonprofit groups receiving federal funds. The order will remain until the District Court decides on the coalition's request for further injunction against the freeze.
The court agreed with states' claims that the President overstepped his authority by overriding Congress's policy choices. Judge McConnell noted, “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.”
The proposed policy from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) would indefinitely pause most federal assistance, affecting health care, education, law enforcement, disaster relief, infrastructure, among others. On January 28, AG Campbell joined forces with attorneys general from 22 states in suing to stop this OMB policy immediately.
Although the administration rescinded its memorandum on January 28, White House statements indicated continued enforcement of the funding freeze. As a result, disruptions persisted for states and organizations reliant on federal funds. Medicaid funds were frozen in several states; Head Start programs lost funding leading some childcare centers to close.
Leading this lawsuit are attorneys general from Massachusetts, New York, California, Illinois, New Jersey, and Rhode Island with support from their counterparts in Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan Minnesota Nevada New Mexico North Carolina Oregon Vermont Washington Wisconsin as well as Washington D.C.