A federal judge is considering whether to block President Donald Trump’s funding freeze after a surprising twist—social media might play a big role in his decision. U.S. District Judge John McConnell hinted at granting a restraining order against the freeze, and part of his reasoning comes from a post by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
The funding freeze, announced through a Trump administration memo on Monday, caused immediate backlash. By Wednesday, the memo had been rescinded, but Judge McConnell and others believe the reversal might not be what it seems.
Why Does This Matter?
Here’s the deal: the administration says the memo was reversed to clear up confusion after a court injunction. However, Leavitt quickly clarified on social media that the freeze itself wasn’t going anywhere.
“This is NOT a rescission of the federal funding freeze,” she wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “It is simply a rescission of the OMB memo.”
Critics argue this move is more of a smokescreen than a true policy change. McConnell’s skepticism could lead to a major roadblock for the administration’s freeze.
What You Need to Know
The lawsuit challenging the freeze was filed by 23 state attorneys general. During a hearing, Judge McConnell suggested Leavitt’s post made the administration’s actions seem like “a distinction without a difference.”
“I’m inclined to grant the restraining order,” McConnell said, implying the administration might not be acting in good faith.
Journalists quickly picked up on the drama. Politico’s Kyle Cheney reported that McConnell specifically called out Leavitt’s “hugely ambiguous” comments. ABC News Radio’s Stephen Portnoy added that the tweet offered “sufficient evidence” to show the freeze is still in place, despite claims to the contrary.
What People Are Saying
- Rep. Richard Neal (D-Massachusetts):
“The Constitution is explicitly clear about where the power of the purse lies, and that is with Congress. Any attempts to pause funding authorized by Congress will be stopped dead in their tracks.” - Margot Cleveland, The Federalist:
“If Judge McConnell enters a temporary restraining order based on the press secretary’s comments, it would be outrageously wrong… but a TRO typically cannot be appealed.”
What’s Next?
Judge McConnell could issue a restraining order this week, blocking the freeze temporarily. However, don’t expect the fight to end here—more legal battles are likely, and the administration may explore other ways to push the policy forward.
The Bottom Line
This case is about more than just a funding freeze; it’s a showdown over presidential power and the role of Congress. Whether Judge McConnell blocks the freeze or not, the controversy has already sparked heated debate about how far the administration can go. Stay tuned—things are just getting started.
