U.S. Judge Blocks Trump’s Freeze on Climate Funding

By Nate Raymond

(Reuters) – A U.S. judge blocked President Donald Trump’s administration from freezing billions in grants authorized by Congress under climate investment and infrastructure laws initiated by former President Joe Biden.

U.S. District Judge Mary McElroy issued an injunction following arguments from environmental groups that the Trump administration unlawfully froze previously awarded funding meant to combat climate change, reduce pollution, and modernize U.S. infrastructure.

This funding stemmed from Biden’s $1 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 and the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.

After taking office on January 20, Trump signed an executive order directing agencies to pause the funding pending policy reviews.

The Environmental Protection Agency and various U.S. Departments subsequently halted grant distributions. Environmental groups filed suit on March 13, claiming the agencies lacked authority to withhold funds previously approved by Congress.

They noted that another judge had already blocked a broad freeze of $3 trillion in federal assistance at the request of Democratic-led states.

The Trump administration maintained its right to pause funding to reassess its allocation, asserting that the Rhode Island judge lacked jurisdiction over the matter.

The Justice Department’s stance was strengthened by a recent Supreme Court ruling allowing the administration to terminate considerable teacher training grants amidst its initiatives on diversity and inclusion.