Attorney General Peter F. Neronha expressed approval following Judge McConnell's decision to grant a motion enforcing a funding freeze order in an ongoing lawsuit against former President Trump. The lawsuit challenges the administration's broad freeze on federal funds, which the court found likely unconstitutional.
Neronha stated, "Judge McConnell’s ruling in our favor was swift, and unsurprising. As the Court noted, 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,’ and that ‘these pauses in funding violate the plain text of the TRO.’"
He further emphasized that it is now time for compliance with the law: "Judge McConnell’s Order confirmed what we have been saying from the beginning. It is now time for the Administration to come into full compliance. This is a country of laws. We expect the Administration to follow the law."
The court has mandated that defendants restore frozen funding immediately and cease all federal funding pauses. The order requires adherence to the temporary restraining order (TRO) by restoring withheld funds appropriated in legislation such as the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Improvement and Jobs Act. Additionally, it demands resumption of funding for institutes like the National Institute for Health.
Neronha concluded by stating that attorneys general nationwide are prepared to monitor compliance closely: "Our Office and attorneys general across the country stand ready to keep careful watch on actions of this Administration that follow, and we will not hesitate to go back to Court if they don’t comply."