Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration's Attempt to Freeze $10B in Funds for Low-Income Families

The preliminary injunction will allow $300 million in annual funding to continue flowing to Colorado's child care and safety net programs.

Feb. 6, 2026 at 6:47pm

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A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to keep funds flowing to programs that support the poorest families in Colorado and four other Democratic-led states - California, New York, Minnesota, and Illinois. The injunction from Judge Vernon S. Broderick in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York is a relief for Colorado's safety net service providers and the families who depend on them, as well as a win for Attorney General Phil Weiser, who sued the Trump administration to block its freeze of more than $300 million of annual funding to the state earlier this year.

Why it matters

Had the initial funding freeze announced in January taken effect, it could have gutted state programs that tens of thousands of Colorado's lowest-income families rely on. The preliminary injunction will remain in place while the case plays out, ensuring that critical support continues to reach vulnerable families.

The details

The Trump administration had targeted the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, the Child Care and Development Fund, and the Social Services Block Grant, alleging fraud and the provision of services to undocumented immigrants. However, the administration was unable to provide evidence of such fraud when pressed by the judge during the hearing.

  • In early January, the Trump administration announced the funding freeze.
  • On February 6, 2026, the federal judge issued the preliminary injunction.

The players

Judge Vernon S. Broderick

A President Barack Obama nominee who presided over the case and issued the preliminary injunction.

Phil Weiser

The Colorado Attorney General who sued the Trump administration to block the funding freeze.

Alex Adams

The assistant secretary at the Administration for Children and Families, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, who announced the funding freeze.

Kamika Shaw

The lawyer for the Trump administration who was unable to provide evidence of fraud during the hearing.

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What they’re saying

“At times, Shaw said she did not know or did not have that information. At one point, she cited media reports of fraud, but could not provide any specific media report.”

— Kamika Shaw, Lawyer for the Trump administration (coloradosun.com)

“Weiser and attorneys general for the other affected states say the Trump administration is targeting their states for political retribution and has not followed the law, which allows for penalizing states for noncompliance with the federal programs' rules only after an investigation and with the opportunity to appeal.”

— Phil Weiser, Colorado Attorney General (coloradosun.com)

What’s next

The preliminary injunction will remain in place while the case plays out in court.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing political tensions between the Trump administration and Democratic-led states, as well as the importance of ensuring that critical safety net programs continue to receive funding, especially for the most vulnerable families.