The Sconi

Gov. Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul announced that a federal judge in Rhode Island has issued a temporary restraining order against the Trump administration's freeze on federal grants and loans. This decision comes after Wisconsin, along with 22 other states, filed a lawsuit challenging the Office of Management & Budget’s memo.

The restraining order prevents the Trump administration from implementing a blanket freeze on federal funding until the court rules on a motion for preliminary injunction. Gov. Evers stated, “The Trump Administration's attempts to withhold federal funding from Wisconsin hurts kids, families, seniors, and communities across our state.” He added his commitment to opposing these efforts.

Attorney General Kaul remarked, “This order makes clear that the Trump administration’s sweeping and reckless funding freeze is blocked for the time being.” He highlighted concerns about the potential impact of Project 2025 on essential services such as public safety and education.

The coalition's lawsuit claims that the memo violates both the U.S. Constitution and federal law by imposing new conditions on previously awarded funding. Despite President Trump's rescission of the memo hours before an initial hearing, communication from the White House suggested that the freeze remained effective. The states argued this was an attempt to sidestep legal action.

Judge John J. McConnell presided over the case and criticized this approach as a "distinction without a difference." In his ruling, he emphasized that Congress has not authorized unlimited executive power to pause funds allocated for specific purposes. Judge McConnell concluded that such actions violate the separation of powers principle.

The lawsuit includes participation from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and the District of Columbia.