Washington AG Statement on Federal Funding Freeze Block

WA Attorney General News Releases

Filed March 16th, 2026

Detected March 17th, 2026

Summary

Washington Attorney General Nick Brown released a statement on the First Circuit Court of Appeals largely upholding a lower court order that blocked the Trump administration's attempt to freeze federal funding to states. The decision affirms the illegality of the administration's policy impacting essential public services.

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What changed

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit has largely affirmed a lower court's order that blocked the Trump administration's policy to freeze trillions of dollars in federal funding to states. This decision, announced by Washington Attorney General Nick Brown, upholds the coalition's legal challenge against the administration's "illegal effort" to withhold essential funds. The ruling follows a preliminary injunction secured in March 2025 by a coalition of 22 attorneys general, including Washington.

This outcome is significant for state governments that rely on federal assistance for public services. While this is a statement and not a new rule, it reinforces the legal precedent against such broad funding freezes. Regulated entities, particularly government agencies and those receiving federal grants, should note the continued legal challenges against federal administrative actions that impact funding streams. No specific compliance actions are required for regulated entities based on this statement, but it highlights the ongoing legal battles over federal funding allocation.

Source document (simplified)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Mar 16 2026

Attorney General Nick Brown today released the following statement after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit largely upheld a lower court order blocking the Trump administration’s illegal effort to categorically freeze trillions of dollars in essential federal funding to states:

“I’m glad the court agrees that this unprecedented attempt to freeze federal assistance for Washington was illegal,” Brown said. “We’ve filed over 50 cases against the administration since this one, but my message remains the same: Follow the damn law.”

In January 2025, Brown joined a coalition of 22 other attorneys general in suing to stop the implementation of a new federal policy that would have categorically withheld trillions of dollars in essential funding, impacting a vast array of important public services that states provide. In March 2025, the coalition won a preliminary injunction blocking the policy , and today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit largely affirmed that order.

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