Judge Blocks Trump’s Funding Freeze, Saying White House Put Itself ‘Above Congress’

A federal judge has blocked President Trump’s attempt to freeze funding for a wide range of programs, stating that the White House had overstepped its authority by trying to withhold money that had already been approved by Congress.

The funding freeze, which was announced by the Trump administration in late August, would have affected billions of dollars in funding for a variety of programs, including those aimed at combating climate change, improving education, and providing aid to foreign countries.

In his ruling, Judge Richard J. Leon of the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia said that the White House had put itself “above Congress” by trying to block the funding. He argued that the president does not have the authority to unilaterally withhold money that has been appropriated by Congress, and that doing so would violate the separation of powers established by the Constitution.

The ruling was a significant blow to the Trump administration, which has repeatedly clashed with Congress over funding issues. The president has frequently sought to redirect money from approved programs to fund his own priorities, such as building a wall along the southern border.

Critics of the administration hailed the ruling as a victory for the rule of law and the separation of powers. They argued that the Trump administration’s attempts to freeze funding were not only illegal, but also harmful to the programs that would have been affected.

The White House has not yet indicated whether it plans to appeal the ruling. However, it is likely that this decision will be just one of many legal battles over funding issues in the coming months, as the Trump administration continues to clash with Congress over budget priorities.

In the meantime, the programs that were set to lose funding as a result of the freeze will continue to receive their allocated money, allowing them to carry out their missions and serve the American people as intended by Congress.