Pakistani-American Judge Temporarily Stops Trump’s Grant Funding Freeze
AFP
A Pakistani-American federal district judge, Loren AliKhan, has temporarily blocked the implementation of US President Donald Trump’s controversial executive order that aimed to freeze hundreds of billions of dollars in federal grants and loans, just minutes before it was set to take effect on Tuesday.
The 41-year-old judge responded to a petition from the National Council of Nonprofits and public health organizations, issuing a temporary administrative stay. This ruling quickly gained significant attention, becoming breaking news across US media, with analysts discussing its broader implications.
The executive order was poised to freeze several hundred billion dollars in funds, which were allocated for distribution in the form of federal grants, loans, and other forms of support to non-profit organizations, charitable work, climate improvement projects, transgender rights, and other initiatives that did not align with President Trump’s agenda.
Judge AliKhan’s order to pause the plan until next Monday at 17:00 EST (22:00 GMT) came in response to a lawsuit filed by organizations representing grant recipients. The lawsuit argued that the White House’s decision to temporarily freeze already approved funding violated the law.
In the hours leading up to the order’s effective date, widespread confusion ensued about which agencies and programs would be impacted.
The acting head of the White House budget office had instructed agencies to “temporarily pause all activities related to obligations or disbursements of federal financial assistance,” citing the need to give the new administration time to assess which grants and loans aligned with their agenda.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Trump’s plan to pause billions of dollars in government funding was intended to be “good stewardship of tax dollars.” During her first press briefing, she explained that the funding freeze would allow the government to scale back spending on “woke” gender issues and diversity programs.
However, the move caused confusion and anger among opposition figures, as recipients of federal loans and grants such as non-profits and research organizations grappled with the potential loss of vital funding.
Judge AliKhan issued the brief stay on Tuesday, stating it would “preserve the status quo” until an oral argument is held, now scheduled for Monday morning. The White House’s directive could have affected billions of dollars meant for federal programs, including disaster relief and cancer research.
In a post on X, Diane Yentel, president of the National Council of Nonprofits, which brought the lawsuit, celebrated the ruling: “Our lawsuit was successful the US district court is blocking OMB (Office of Management and Budget) from moving forward with its reckless plan to halt federal funding.”
The lawsuit contends that Trump’s executive order aims to “eradicate essentially all federal grant programs.”
