Federal judge temporarily blocks Trump’s federal funding freeze

A federal judge has temporarily blocked a Trump administration freeze on federal grants and loans that could total trillions of dollars and cause disruptions in health care research, education programs and other initiatives.

The White House announced plans to enforce the pause on federal grants and loans Tuesday as President Donald Trump’s administration begins an across-the-board ideological review of its spending. The move was defended by Karoline Leavitt , the youngest person to serve as White House press secretary, who made her debut in the briefing room Tuesday.

Democrats were pushing back, with attorneys general announcing a lawsuit asking a federal judge to block the Republican president’s moves.