US District Judge Lauren Alihan has ruled to extend the blocking of President Donald Trump's order to suspend federal grants, loans and aid, BTA reports.
The decision was made after serious criticism of the measure, which caused administrative chaos in federal services. According to Judge Alihan, freezing funding would have "catastrophic" consequences consequences for organizations engaged in public causes.
The controversy surrounding the presidential memorandum
The dispute began after the White House issued a memorandum requiring all departments and agencies to stop spending on aid and conduct a comprehensive review of programs to ensure their alignment with “presidential priorities“. The decision was implemented without notice, which led to significant turmoil in the state apparatus.
The court's decision and the White House's reaction
After the measure was temporarily suspended by the court, the White House officially revoked the memorandum, but emphasized that President Trump continues to insist on freezing state financial assistance. According to Alihan, the executive branch did not provide sufficient grounds for the urgency of the measure, which calls into question its justification and legality. The dispute is expected to continue as the government looks for new ways to push through its financial policies.