The White House said on Wednesday it was prepared to fight in court after a US judge temporarily blocked part of the Trump administration's sweeping directive to halt federal loans, grants and other financial aid, Reuters reports.
"Everything this administration is doing is within the law, so we are prepared to fight this fight in court," White House spokeswoman Carolyn Leavitt told reporters outside the White House.
The judge's decision on Tuesday was a victory for advocacy groups that said the funding pause would be devastating.
On Tuesday, Donald Trump ordered a halt to all federal grants, grants and loans funds and loans. Democratic leaders, including Senator Patty Murray and Congresswoman Rose DeLauro, called the measure "illegal and dangerous". They warned that it would affect key services such as food assistance, cancer research and support for suicide prevention hotlines.
The decision comes as part of Trump's campaign to reform the federal government, which includes freezing hiring, eliminating racial equity programs and limiting protections for government employees.
Republicans defended Trump, stressing that he is delivering on his promise of change. Congressman Tom Emmer said: "This is part of his mission to shake up the status quo."