Why the Trump administration may welcome lawsuits challenging his spending freezes

Published February 3, 2025 7:00am ET



President Donald Trump‘s opponents celebrated when his administration rescinded a memorandum to freeze federal aid spending and saw the action blocked in court, but White House officials think they could have the final word.

Trump’s advisers have been laying the groundwork for a legal battle for years, 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.

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.