Trump admin blocked from freezing billions in child care funds, judge rules

The Trump administration on Friday was blocked from freezing roughly $10 billion in federal funding for child care and social services in five Democratic-led states, a federal judge ordered. The big picture: Judge Arun Subramanian decided that the administration must release funds for three social service programs that serve low-income families and individuals with disabilities for the next two weeks, despite President Trump's efforts to withhold the funds.Subramanian wrote that the preliminary relief is "designed to protect the status quo," giving both the plaintiffs and defendants more time to argue their cases. State of play: Democratic attorneys general from the five states — California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota and New York — filed a lawsuit against the administration just one day prior. The Department of Health and Human Services officials claimed cutting off funding was necessary due to systemic fraud in the child care system.Yes, but: The states' suit, filed Thursday evening in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleges that the freeze was triggered by viral misinformation, political rhetoric and public threats from Trump and top officials, not by fraud findings. The states also alleged HHS and the Administration for Children and Families unexpectedly froze funds for child care, cash assistance and social services programs without evidence, due process and legal authority.What they're saying: Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said there is no justification for the "cruel and illegal attempt by the Trump administration to play politics with the lives of children and low-income families." "I remain committed to protecting Illinois residents from bearing the brunt of this president's continued disregard for our Constitution and the rule of law," he added. The White House did not immediately respond to Axios' Friday evening request for comment. Go deeper: 5 blue states sue Trump admin over $10 billion child care funding freeze Axios Chicago's Carrie Shepherd contributed reporting.Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional details throughout.