A federal judge in Washington, D.C., has put a temporary stop to the Trump administration’s plan to freeze up to $3 trillion in federal grants and loans. The decision comes after activists argued the move was illegal and would disrupt critical programs nationwide.

Judge Loren AliKhan’s ruling was in response to a lawsuit filed by the advocacy group Democracy Forward. The group claimed the freeze, ordered by the White House Office of Management and Budget, violated both the First Amendment and the Administrative Procedures Act, which oversees how the executive branch makes rules.

The freeze, announced earlier this week, caused widespread confusion and concern. State agencies, nonprofits, and local governments found themselves suddenly cut off from much-needed funds. Programs like Medicaid reimbursements, preschool funding, housing assistance, and even disaster relief were at risk. Universities also had to pause new research grants.

While the White House later tried to clarify that the freeze wasn’t meant to apply to all programs, the damage was already done. Even Republican states were left scrambling for answers. Judge AliKhan’s decision provides a temporary reprieve, allowing those affected to regroup and prepare their case.

This isn’t the first time a judge has stepped in to challenge the Trump administration’s use of executive power. Just last week, a judge in Washington state blocked an attempt to end automatic citizenship for babies born in the U.S.

Democracy Forward’s president, Skye Perryman, praised the ruling, calling it a necessary pause amid the chaos caused by the administration’s actions. The White House has yet to comment on the decision, leaving many to wonder what’s next in this ongoing battle over federal funding.