President Donald Trump’s attempt to freeze federal spending faced another obstacle on Tuesday as a federal appeals court denied his administration’s emergency request to overturn the restrictions.
Legal Setback for Trump Administration
The Boston-based 1st Circuit Court of Appeals, in a unanimous decision by a three-judge panel, rejected the administration’s plea, marking an initial defeat in a legal battle over executive power during Trump’s second term.
Ruling Details
The appeals court’s ruling currently leaves the issue in the hands of U.S. District Judge John McConnell in Rhode Island. McConnell had previously ordered the Trump administration to lift the broad spending freeze on federal programs. In response to alleged defiance of his order, McConnell issued a stern follow-up directive.
This ruling is the latest in a series of legal setbacks for the administration, with courts nationwide blocking key initiatives, citing potential violations of laws and the Constitution in the rush to implement policies.
Despite the typical non-appealable nature of McConnell’s order, the Justice Department swiftly sought relief from the 1st Circuit. Their plea for an “administrative stay” to nullify McConnell’s orders was not granted by the appeals judges, who questioned the justification for such a move.
Legal Perspectives
The appeals judges, including David Barron, Julie Rikelman, and Lara Montecalvo, highlighted the legal uncertainty surrounding the requested stay and found the arguments insufficient to warrant the requested relief.
The ongoing lawsuit, initiated by 22 Democratic state attorneys general, initially targeted an Office of Management and Budget directive that imposed a wide-ranging pause on grant and aid funding. While the memo was rescinded promptly, the states maintain that funding for various programs remains blocked.
It’s worth noting that McConnell and Barron were appointed by President Barack Obama, while Rikelman and Montecalvo received appointments from President Joe Biden.
