Federal judge rules for Trump administration to release FEMA funds

A federal judge in Rhode Island rules for the Trump administration to release millions of dollars

in FEMA funds to 22 Democratic states and Washington, D.C. U.S. District Court Chief

Judge John McConnell, Jr., an Obama appointee, ruled Friday that the Trump administration violated

a court order when withholding the grant money from the states. The funds had been approved by

Congress and were frozen after President Trump signed an executive order on January 24th

directing a review of FEMA and how it was spending funds, stating, quote

there are serious concerns of political bias in FEMA. Adding, despite obligating nearly $30 billion in disaster aid each of the past three years

FEMA has managed to leave vulnerable Americans without the resources or support they need when they need it most

Trump has said he wants states to be in charge of their own emergency response

and then the federal government can step in and help with funds. Three days after Trump signed the order, the Office of Management and Budget issued a freeze on certain financial assistance programs

One week after Trump signed the order, Judge McConnell issued a temporary restraining order against the funding freeze

Ten days later, he sided with the states, ordering FEMA to immediately restore the funds

The federal government appealed, and on March 26, a three-judge panel from the First Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the appeal

Attorneys general representing the states and D.C. went back to Judge McConnell

arguing that even after he issued the temporary restraining order, their fund requests were still subject to a review process

and that the action went against the court order. The Trump administration argued back saying the review process had nothing to do with the OMB memo stating reimbursement payments are allowable allocable and reasonable pair each award terms and conditions and are free from fraud waste or abuse

In his Friday ruling, Judge McConnell said FEMA's review process essentially imposes an

indefinite categorical pause on payments. The judge decided FEMA under the Trump administration

must immediately comply with the plain text of the preliminary injunction order not to pause or

otherwise impede the disbursement of appropriated federal funds to the states based on Trump's

executive orders. We asked the Trump administration for its response. A senior official with the

Department of Homeland Security tells us, quote, this is yet another example of an activist judge

trying to obstruct President Trump's agenda. At the direction of Secretary Noem, FEMA has

implemented additional controls to ensure that all grant program activity is consistent with law

and does not promote fraud, waste, or abuse, as it has in the past

We will continue to ensure that U.S. taxpayer dollars are being used wisely

and for mission-critical efforts. The attorney general for the state of Rhode Island, a plaintiff in the case

also responded, saying in part, when the president and his administration continuously flout court orders

they are testing the boundaries of what they can get away with and toying with American lives in the process

Enough is enough, and the court has made that crystal clear. Our office and attorneys general across the country will continue our relentless pursuit of the rule of law

and we will not hesitate to ensure that the people of Rhode Island receive every dollar that they are due

It's unclear how the Trump administration will proceed. For Straight Arrow News, I'm Lauren Taylor

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