A federal judge expressed concern Monday that the Trump administration is continuing to implement a blanket freeze on federal spending despite two court orders to pause it during ongoing lawsuits.
Concerns Over Nonprofits
U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan highlighted that some nonprofits were still facing obstacles in accessing promised funding due to the freeze imposed by the Trump White House.
Judge’s Intentions
AliKhan indicated her readiness to broaden the block on the White House’s spending freeze by Monday afternoon, a move welcomed by nonprofits challenging the administration’s actions.
Legal Disputes
The Justice Department contested AliKhan’s authority to intervene, arguing that agencies had the autonomy to decide on spending independent of court orders.
Rejection of Arguments
AliKhan dismissed the notion that agencies were acting independently, pointing out that many programs remained frozen solely due to the initial directive from the White House.
Continued Scrutiny
The ongoing legal battles and conflicting statements from the administration have led to uncertainty regarding the status of the spending freeze, creating a turbulent environment in Washington.
