Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Funding Freeze: Key Programs Saved—for Now

The Trump administration has announced a halt on federal grants and loans starting today (Jan. 28) at 4 p.m. CT. But minutes before the freeze took effect, a federal judge has stepped in to halt the Trump administration’s freeze on federal grants and loans. U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan issued the temporary block on Tuesday afternoon. The stay keeps the freeze on hold until Monday (Feb. 3), providing a brief but critical window for review. The freeze was set to disrupt healthcare research and education programs, triggering widespread concern among organizations and individuals who depend on federal funding. Programs like student loans, and scholarships will remain unaffected, but other vital initiatives are at risk, according to the Democratic National Committee. What the freeze could impact: Medicaid School breakfast and lunch programs Section 8 rental assistance Title I education grants TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) State grants for child care Head Start Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant Program EPA grants for clean water infrastructure The announcement, made just a day ago, has left agencies scrambling to assess the fallout. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker criticized...