1st Circuit refuses to lift block on Trump's freeze on state grants during challenge
A Rhode Island federal judge’s order requiring President Donald Trump to keep appropriated grant flowing to the states will remain undisturbed during appeal after a federal appeals court declined to issue a stay. (Image from Shutterstock)
A Rhode Island federal judge’s order requiring President Donald Trump to keep appropriated grant flowing to the states will remain undisturbed during appeal after a federal appeals court declined to issue a stay.
The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at Boston sided with Democratic attorneys general from 22 states, the District of Columbia and Kentucky’s governor in a March 26 decision.
Law360 and the Maine Morning Star have coverage.
Chief U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr. of the District of Rhode Island had issued a March 6 preliminary injunction blocking a Trump administration freeze on appropriated federal funds distributed to states through grants, contracts and other financial obligations.
McConnell had found that the funding freeze likely violated the Administrative Procedure Act because it was contrary to law, and because it was arbitrary and capricious. One of the cited laws was the Impoundment Control Act, which bans delays in spending for policy reasons but not for deferrals that relate to efficient use of funds.
The appeals court found that the government had not met its burden to show that it was entitled to judicial intervention.
The case is New York v. Trump.
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