PHOENIX Ariz. (KVOA) – A coalition of attorneys general, led by Attorney General Mayes, has successfully secured a court order against the Trump administration's policy to freeze federal funds.

The U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island granted a preliminary injunction to block the policy, which would have withheld essential funding for various federal agency grants, loans, and programs.

“This was an illegal and reckless attempt to withhold critical funding that states rely on to serve their communities,” said Attorney General Mayes. “This ruling is a victory for Arizonans and millions of Americans who depend on these essential federal funds.”

The policy, initiated through a memorandum from the Office of Management and Budget on January 27, aimed to freeze trillions of dollars in federal funds. This action led to immediate disruption and uncertainty for programs dependent on this funding.

Attorney General Mayes and the coalition filed a lawsuit on January 28 in response to the freeze. A temporary restraining order was granted on January 31, halting the policy's implementation.

On February 7, the coalition filed motions for enforcement and a preliminary injunction to stop the freeze and preserve the necessary funding. The court responded by enforcing compliance with the restraining order on February 8.

By February 28, the coalition sought further enforcement to prevent the freezing of FEMA grants. The court's recent decision supports the coalition's claims of the policy's unlawfulness.

The court has required the Trump administration to demonstrate compliance by March 14 and inform all agencies of the order.

The lawsuit is led by the attorneys general from California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island, with support from Arizona and 17 other states.