The original decision caused chaos and confusion and led to panicked calls to governmental agencies and public officials, before a federal judge paused the order.

Judge John McConnell ’80 requested the attorneys general draft an order to protect individuals and institutions that rely on federal funding.

The Trump administration halted trillions of dollars in federal grants and loans, and Rhode Island's politicians are deeply concerned.

More than 23 states are seeking a temporary restraining order against the Trump administration over its effort to freeze federal funds.

(Reuters) - A U.S. judge on Wednesday said he was inclined to temporarily block the Trump administration from pausing federal loans, grants and other financial assistance, intervening at the behest of Democratic state attorneys general amid confusion over White House spending policy.

The coalition of attorneys general argue that the order violates the Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act.

The 23 state attorneys general involved in the suit will now draft a temporary restraining order, and the Trump administration will need to respond.

I’m worried about the effect to the people,” said the federal judge about disruptions to federal grants that sent shock waves across the country.

The Trump administration on Wednesday rescinded a sweeping directive to pause federal loans, grants and other financial assistance, a White House official said, just shortly before it was set to appear in court for a second straight day to defend the policy.

The Trump administration on Wednesday rescinded a sweeping directive to pause federal loans, grants, and other financial assistance, just hours before it was due in court to defend the policy for a second consecutive day, a White House official said.

U.S. District Judge Jack McConnell said a bid by the White House to rescind a “hugely ambiguous” order implementing the freeze appeared to be undercut by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s subsequent statement that the freeze was still in effect.

A judge in Washington, D.C., sided with plaintiffs who claimed the White House’s freezing of billions of dollars in congressionally-approved funding violated the law.