{"id":2398112,"date":"2025-02-03T07:35:01","date_gmt":"2025-02-03T12:35:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/why-trump-may-welcome-lawsuits-challenging-his-spending-freezes\/"},"modified":"2025-02-03T07:38:08","modified_gmt":"2025-02-03T12:38:08","slug":"why-trump-may-welcome-lawsuits-challenging-his-spending-freezes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/why-trump-may-welcome-lawsuits-challenging-his-spending-freezes\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Trump may welcome lawsuits challenging his spending freezes"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fwhy-trump-may-welcome-lawsuits-challenging-his-spending-freezes%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2398112&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article discusses the ongoing tensions between\u2064 the Trump administration\u2063 and its opponents regarding the president&#8217;s authority to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/people-are-very-unsettled-marsha-blackburn-explains-why-a-republican-majority-would-preserve-value-in-the-us\/\" title=\"\u2018People Are Very Unsettled\u2019: Marsha Blackburn Explains Why A Republican Majority Would Preserve Value In The US\">freeze federal spending<\/a>. After Trump rescinded a controversial memorandum \u200cthat aimed to freeze federal aid \u200dspending, opponents celebrated, claiming victory in court. However, White House officials believe \u200cthey can still enforce spending cuts through other executive actions. Trump&#8217;s advisers\u200d contend \u2062that past presidents have exercised the right to impound appropriated funds and argue that the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which restricted this power, is\u200b unconstitutional.The article highlights a potential legal battle, with both \u200dsides preparing for escalating court challenges over presidential budgeting powers. Legal experts provide differing opinions on \u2063the\u2063 issue, hinting\u2063 that the matter could\u2064 ultimately reach the \u200dsupreme Court.\u200b Past context is provided,noting that \u2063previous presidents had exercised impoundment before it was curtailed,and it suggests that \u200bpolitical positions on such matters often shift with party control in the White House.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Why the Trump administration may welcome lawsuits challenging his spending freezes<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1961153\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>President <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Donald Trump\">Donald Trump<\/a>&lsquo;s opponents celebrated when his administration <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3304402\/trump-administration-backs-down-on-federal-aid-freeze\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Donald Trump\">rescinded<\/a> a memorandum to freeze federal aid spending and saw the action <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3303528\/federal-judge-temporarily-halts-trump-federal-aid-freeze\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"blocked\">blocked<\/a> in court, but White House officials think they could have the final word.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Trump&rsquo;s advisers have been laying the groundwork for a legal battle <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3244202\/trump-impoundment-federal-bureaucracy-trigger-supreme-court-battle\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"for years\">for years<\/a>, arguing that presidents long enjoyed the power not to spend appropriated funds from Congress and that the Watergate-era Impoundment Control Act of 1974 is unconstitutional.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Impoundment is simply another word for the president&rsquo;s Article II authority to <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">implement spending measures enacted<\/a> by Congress in a responsible manner,&rdquo; Mark Paoletta, general counsel for the Office of Management and Budget, <a href=\"https:\/\/americarenewing.com\/the-presidents-constitutional-power-of-impoundment\/?utm_source=substack&amp;utm_medium=email\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"wrote\">wrote<\/a> last September.<\/p>\n<p>Paoletta and Russell Vought, Trump&rsquo;s nominee to lead the OMB, spent much of the last four years at the Center for Renewing America, a conservative advocacy group that made restoring impoundment powers one of its principal causes.<\/p>\n<p>Once back in office, Trump wasted no time testing that vision. He issued multiple Day One executive orders freezing funds to various programs that he says do not fit his policy goals, then supercharged the effort with the ill-fated blanket freeze memo.<\/p>\n<p>Trump and his opponents agree that the battle is likely to escalate from here.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This is NOT a rescission of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trumps-shock-and-awe-administration-leaves-democrats-scrambling-to-respond-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Trump\u2019s shock-and-awe administration leaves Democrats scrambling to respond - Washington Examiner\">federal funding freeze<\/a>,&rdquo; White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3304402\/trump-administration-backs-down-on-federal-aid-freeze\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"wrote\">wrote<\/a> when the memo was taken back. &ldquo;It is simply a rescission of the OMB memo. Why? To end any confusion created by the court&rsquo;s injunction. The President&rsquo;s EO&rsquo;s on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/white-house-rescission-of-federal-aid-freeze-memo-sparks-confusion-and-court-scrutiny-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"White House rescission of federal aid freeze memo sparks confusion and ... scrutiny - Washington Examiner\">federal funding remain<\/a> in full force and effect, and will be rigorously implemented.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>White House officials said reports that the spending pause was over were a &ldquo;hoax.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>A group of 23 states suing Trump over the freeze made the same point, arguing that its lawsuit should continue because the overriding policy remains in effect. U.S. District Judge Jack McConnell, an Obama appointee who heard arguments in a Rhode Island courthouse, seemed to agree.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;While the piece of paper (memo) may not exist, there is sufficient evidence that the defendants collectively are acting consistent with that directive and therefore their arguments about needing a temporary restraining order for their various legal rights exist,&rdquo; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3304402\/trump-administration-backs-down-on-federal-aid-freeze\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"he said\">he said<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>If the case or one like it winds its way up to the Supreme Court, Trump&rsquo;s advisers like their chances.<\/p>\n<p>Paoletta has <a href=\"https:\/\/americarenewing.com\/the-history-of-impoundments-before-the-impoundment-control-act-of-1974\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"contributed\">contributed<\/a> to multiple lengthy articles making the case for presidential impoundment powers. He wrote that the executive branch enjoyed the privilege for nearly 200 years, with presidents ranging from George Washington and Thomas Jefferson to John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson all impounding funds until Congress outlawed the practice at the height of the Watergate scandal.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Since the founding, Congress&rsquo;s power of the purse has been understood to establish a ceiling on executive spending, not a floor,&rdquo; another Center for Renewing America piece <a href=\"https:\/\/americarenewing.com\/the-history-of-impoundments-before-the-impoundment-control-act-of-1974\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"reads\">reads<\/a>, &ldquo;and certainly not an authority for Congress to compel the president to expend the full amount of an appropriation.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Of course, the other side of the battle thinks it has the upper hand, too.<\/p>\n<p>Former U.S. Attorney&nbsp;Joyce Vance&nbsp;said Trump does not have the power to impound funds, pointing to the 1974 act and a 1975 Supreme Court decision.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The Impoundment Control Act, like much of the legislation requiring presidents to follow the law, was passed in reaction to the Nixon presidency,&rdquo; she <a href=\"https:\/\/joycevance.substack.com\/p\/impoundment?utm_source=post-email-title&amp;publication_id=607357&amp;post_id=145627972&amp;utm_campaign=email-post-title&amp;isFreemail=true&amp;r=o0yti&amp;triedRedirect=true&amp;utm_medium=email\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"wrote\">wrote<\/a> on Substack. &ldquo;It effectively ended a president&rsquo;s power to impound funds. The year following its passage, the Supreme Court held in <em>Train v. City of New York<\/em> that even without the act, presidents lack the authority to impound funds. <em>Train<\/em> reaffirmed the clear grant of the power of the purse to Congress in the Constitution.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>However, some legal scholars, such as University of California, Berkeley professor John Yoo, argue that <em>Train <\/em>does not really concern the Impoundment Control Act but rather the narrow text of a specific act of Congress and that Trump may have a decent shot of winning in court.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Trump can interpret the Constitution his own way to say it allows him to keep this discretion that presidents since at least Thomas Jefferson had,&rdquo; Yoo said. &ldquo;There&rsquo;s an open question about this, and Trump is entitled to try to press his powers and to try to go to the Supreme Court.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Like many executive powers arguments, politicians&rsquo; stances on impoundment depend on which party controls the White House. When reports circulated last year that then-President Joe Biden was threatening to withhold military aid to Israel that was approved by Congress, Republicans <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3006901\/house-condemns-biden-pause-weapons-transfers-israel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"condemned\">condemned<\/a> the move and sought to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/2998520\/republicans-seek-enforcement-biden-israel-aid-rafah\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"force\">force<\/a> Biden to relinquish the threat.<\/p>\n<p>The funding freeze saga has heightened Democratic opposition to Vought&rsquo;s nomination to lead the OMB, and Democrats <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3305799\/republicans-advance-russ-vought-democratic-boycott\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"boycotted\">boycotted<\/a> a vote to advance him in the Senate on Thursday, though the measure still passed with Republican support.<\/p>\n<p>Vought remains on track to be confirmed, and the impoundment matter is almost certain to wind its way through the courts as his theory tests the constitutional waters.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Craig Shirley, a presidential historian and Ronald Reagan biographer, said Trump has already won the political argument with his antispending push and predicted he could win in court as well.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It is time to overturn the impoundment act,&rdquo; Shirley said. &ldquo;A president has to be free to operate to help the American taxpayer against a profligate Congress.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1961153\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1961153\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Trump administration may embrace lawsuits over spending freezes, believing they can prevail in court despite opposition celebrations<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2635,"featured_media":2398113,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Donald-Trump-spending-freeze-impoundment.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[7976,38518,5894,49696,3634],"class_list":["post-2398112","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-lawsuits","tag-legal-strategy","tag-politics","tag-spending-freezes","tag-trump"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Donald-Trump-spending-freeze-impoundment.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2398112","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2635"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2398112"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2398112\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2398116,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2398112\/revisions\/2398116"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2398113"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2398112"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2398112"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2398112"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}