Susan Page analyzes Trump, Zelenskyy’s Oval clash impact on the world
USA TODAY’s Susan Page breaks down Trump and Zelenskyy’s fiery Oval clash and its impact on U.S. support, global alliances and Zelenskyy’s future.
- 23 Democratic state attorneys general are challenging the freeze on federal grants by President Donald Trump’s administration.
- FEMA grants are the focus of the latest motion filed Friday in U.S. District Court. RI is one of 16 states listed as being unable to claim previously awarded FEMA grants.
- Both sides are awaiting a ruling from U.S. District Judge John McConnell on whether the Trump administration can conduct an ideological review of previously awarded grants.
The 23 Democratic state attorneys general challenging President Donald Trump’s freeze on federal grants say his administration is refusing to restart some spending despite a court order to do so.
In late January, U.S. District Judge John McConnell Jr. issued a temporary restraining order directing the administration to restore congressionally authorized funding that had been frozen by executive order. The states and administration argued their cases for and against a more lasting preliminary injunction last month and are awaiting a decision from McConnell.
In the meantime, the attorneys general asked McConnell in early February and again on Friday to make the administration release federal funds they say remain frozen.
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha’s office has led the arguments for the plaintiff states.
The focus of the latest motion to enforce the restraining order is FEMA funding.
“As of February 28, 2025, at least 140 FEMA grants from at least twenty different FEMA grant programs have been frozen or otherwise rendered inaccessible in sixteen Plaintiff states,” the motion submitted Friday says.
Rhode Island is one of the 16 states listed as being unable to claim previously awarded FEMA grants.
The filing does not specify the Rhode Island projects that have been denied FEMA funding, but says that nationally the funds were to be used on things such as “recovery programs to address wildfires, floods, cybersecurity threats.”
“Plaintiff States specifically request that the Court order Defendant the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide information on its compliance with the Court’s orders promptly showing either that access to the funds identified below has been restored or that FEMA is otherwise complying with the [restraining order],” the motion says. “If FEMA is unable to establish compliance, Plaintiff States respectfully request that the Court order FEMA to cease freezing obligated funds.”
In support of the motion, the attorneys general submitted an email from FEMA that says, “No funding is paused but the agency does continue to review program delivery to ensure alignment with all White House directions and Executive Orders.”
