In a surprising turn of events, three federal judges have issued rulings that pose significant challenges to President Donald Trump’s actions during the early days of his second term. Within a span of just ninety minutes on Tuesday, these decisions have effectively put a brake on Trump's controversial moves, underscoring the pivotal role of the judiciary in checking the administration's power.
In Washington, DC, Judge Loren AliKhan issued a preliminary injunction that indefinitely blocks the Trump administration from freezing federal grants and loans. This ruling expands on an earlier block issued last month, highlighting the legal challenges against the administration's attempt to pause up to $3 trillion in federal spending.
Judge AliKhan criticized the spending freeze as “irrational, imprudent, and precipitated a nationwide crisis,” emphasizing that the administration's directive was almost unfathomable in scope. The issue of withholding federal funds has become a major flashpoint, with pending cases challenging Trump’s decision to suspend foreign assistance.
Meanwhile, Judge Amir Ali, also in the DC federal courthouse, ordered the Trump administration to pay foreign aid-related money owed to government contractors and nonprofit groups. This order came amid ongoing legal battles over the freezing of USAID and State Department funds. Ali emphasized the importance of compliance with previous rulings and rejected calls to hold the administration in contempt.
On the West Coast, in Washington state, Judge Jamal Whitehead issued a preliminary injunction against Trump’s executive order suspending refugee admissions and funding. Whitehead, a Biden appointee, stated that Trump’s actions effectively nullified congressional intent in establishing the nation’s refugee admissions program.
President Trump’s executive order, issued on his first day back in office, called for a review of the refugee program, suggesting that resettlement should resume only if deemed in the “national interest.” Critics argue this amounts to a de facto refugee ban, a point that Judge Whitehead’s ruling addresses.
The Trump administration is currently facing at least 80 cases challenging various actions taken during the early weeks of his second term. Plaintiffs in these cases have seen some success, with judges granting emergency relief. However, the White House has also secured some victories, particularly in efforts to reduce the federal workforce and shutter foreign aid agencies.
Many of these cases are advancing to more thorough reviews, with judges considering whether to issue preliminary injunctions to block contested government actions. Judge AliKhan, in her ruling on the funding freeze, stated that nonprofit plaintiffs are likely to succeed in their claims that the freeze was unlawful.
AliKhan described the scope of power claimed by the Office of Management and Budget as “breathtaking” and likely to be overturned. She emphasized the temporary nature of earlier rulings and the potential economic catastrophe the funding freeze posed to nonprofit members.
CNN’s Tierney Sneed and Angelica Franganillo Diaz contributed additional details to this report.
