It’s a Lovely Day For a Coup
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A federal judge in Rhode Island has found that the Trump administration has continued to improperly freeze some federal funds, despite a temporary restraining order issued late last month blocking its efforts to pause payments for grants and other federal programs.
In a five-page order issued Monday, U.S. District Court Judge John McConnell, Jr. wrote that the administration, in several instances, has continued "to improperly freeze federal funds and refused to resume disbursement of appropriated federal funds."
President Trump speaks to journalists in the Oval Office on Friday. A federal judge in Rhode Island has issued an order blocking the administration’s efforts to freeze some federal spending.
The Trump administration has said the freeze is necessary in order to review federal funding to make sure it aligns with the president's agenda. But in his order, McConnell said the freeze was "likely unconstitutional and has caused and continues to cause irreparable harm to a vast portion of this country."
https://www.npr.org/2025/02/10/nx-s1-5292342/trump-federal-funding-freeze-restraining-order
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Meanwhile, Vance says judges can't restrict executive power. Harumph.
Liz Cheney, a former Republican House representative who campaigned in the presidential election against Trump, snapped back at Vance.
"If you believe any of the multiple federal courts that have ruled against you so far are exceeding their statutory or constitutional authority, your recourse is to appeal," Cheney wrote on X.
"You don't get to rage-quit the Republic just because you are losing. That's tyranny."
Vance has previously suggested that the president can directly challenge judicial rulings that seek to curb White House power.
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The coup rolls on.
Tuesday's order provides new details on how government agencies will work with DOGE to reduce the size of the federal workforce, and calls on the heads of federal agencies to "promptly undertake preparations to initiate large-scale reductions in force." The order did not specify a range of how many workers may be affected and lose jobs.
The order also sets out new guidelines around hiring. It says each agency should hire no more than one employee for every four employees that depart. Additionally, the order calls on agency heads to consult with a "DOGE Team Lead" around hiring approvals.
https://www.npr.org/2025/02/11/nx-s1-5293504/trump-musk-doge-oval-office
