A federal judge in Rhode Island ruled that the Trump administration is violating a court order that paused a spending freeze. The judge demanded that all frozen funding be restored and resumed immediately, highlighting that the freeze is likely unconstitutional and causing "irreparable harm" to the 22 states and the District of Columbia involved in the lawsuit. The administration has not yet responded to this directive, which raises concerns about compliance with federal court orders.
In a sharply worded response, US District Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., who is overseeing a lawsuit brought by 22 states and the District of Columbia, ordered the administration to immediately restore and resume the funding.
The freeze - which he said was causing "irreparable harm" and was "likely unconstitutional" - is being flouted, the judge wrote.
"The Defendants must immediately restore frozen funding" as the court weighs the state's claims and the government's arguments on behalf of the freeze, the judge wrote.
The Trump administration did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the new court order or the judge's accusations that last week's order was being ignored.
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