WASHINGTON — A legal battle regarding a proposed freeze on federal funding by the Trump administration is set to return to a Washington courtroom this coming Monday.

The judge is expected to deliberate on whether to prolong her temporary injunction against President Donald Trump’s initiative to suspend federal grants and loans, a move that could potentially impact funding across numerous sectors, amounting to trillions of dollars. U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan in Washington had intervened just moments before the funding freeze was slated to go into effect, but this temporary halt will expire on Monday afternoon unless she opts to extend it further.

In a parallel development, a judge in Rhode Island issued a temporary decree on Friday thwarting the Trump administration’s plan to halt federal funding as part of a distinct lawsuit brought forth by nearly twenty Democratic states.

Although the memo from the Trump administration addressing the freeze on funding was quickly withdrawn, the White House press secretary has conveyed that a freeze remains in the works, aligning with Trump’s barrage of executive orders.

Trump’s objectives include boosting fossil fuel output, revoking protections for transgender individuals, and discontinuing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

The lawsuit in Washington has been initiated by nonprofit organizations that would be adversely affected by the anticipated funding cuts. These organizations argue that Trump’s strategy is unlawful, claiming that its ideological nature infringes upon their freedom of expression.

The Trump administration contends that the groups have not demonstrated how they would be negatively impacted by the proposed measures, suggesting that any funding pause would be temporary and compliant with federal law. Additionally, the administration has assured that essential payments to individuals, such as Medicare, Social Security, or Medicaid, will not be compromised.