GRIEVANCE XXIII ◆ CHECKS ON POWER
He has attempted to suspend money appropriated by the people’s representatives through sweeping executive decree.
THE RECORD SHOWS
A federal appeals court largely upheld an injunction against a government-wide funding freeze affecting potentially trillions of dollars in federal assistance.
In January 2025, the Office of Management and Budget directed agencies to pause grants and loans while evaluating their consistency with the new administration’s policies. The memo was withdrawn after legal challenges, but states argued the freeze continued in practice. In March 2026, an appeals court largely agreed that the categorical approach failed to consider recipients’ reliance interests; it also narrowed part of the relief concerning payments.
A DOCUMENTED SEQUENCE
3 MILESTONES- January 2025The White House budget office instructed federal agencies to suspend large categories of grants and loans.
- March 2025A district court barred the blanket freeze; some agencies were later ordered to comply.
- March 2026The First Circuit largely upheld the prohibition while modifying the order’s provisions on direct payment remedies.
READ THE SOURCES
4 LINKS- Trump administration cannot implement ‘sweeping’ funding freeze, US court rules
- US appeals court says Trump cannot continue foreign aid cuts
- Trump’s attempt to freeze federal grants and loans leads to confusion and clarifications
- Federal judge says Trump administration ignoring his order to pause funding freeze