The White House said on Wednesday, January 29, it was prepared to fight in court after a US judge temporarily blocked part of the Trump administration’s sweeping directive to pause federal loans, grants, and other financial assistance.
“Everything this administration does is within the confines of the law, so we’re prepared to fight this battle in court,” White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told reporters outside the White House.
The judge’s ruling on Tuesday, January 28, was a win for advocacy groups who said the funding pause would be devastating.
US District Judge Loren AliKhan ordered the Trump administration not to block “open awards,” or funds that were already slated to be disbursed, until at least February 3.
The judge said her temporary ruling was intended to “maintain the status quo.” It does not block the Trump administration from freezing funding to new programs, or require it to restart funding that has already ended.
AliKhan scheduled another hearing for Monday, February 3, to determine the next steps. – Rappler.com