The freeze runs up against reality and the tussle begins.

SNIP A federal judge in Washington, D.C., has issued a temporary restraining order against a Trump administration effort to freeze funding for federal grants and other programs.

Monday's order by U.S. Judge Loren AliKhan comes in response to a memo released by the Office of Management and Budget last week directing the funding pause. The memo spurred a legal challenge from a group of nonprofits, prompting the judge to initially order a temporary stay. The White House later said the memo was rescinded but vowed to continue its efforts to review federal funding.

President Trump has promised to greatly curtail the federal government, and a memo released Monday by the Office of Management and Budget aims to follow through on that promise by halting a large swath of federal grant programs.

The temporary restraining order expands the scope of the initial pause the court put in place last week, just as the funding freeze was set to take effect.

In her latest order, AliKhan blocked the administration "from implementing, giving effect to, or reinstating under a different name the directives" in the original OMB memo.

It also directs the OMB — which is part of the executive branch — to provide the court with a status report on its compliance by Friday. The judge also noted that any open awards that were previously frozen must be released.

In her decision, AliKhan faulted the administration for an effort to "run roughshod over a 'bulwark of the Constitution' by interfering with Congress's appropriation of federal funds." The administration's plan, she added, "attempted to wrest the power of the purse away from the only branch of government entitled to wield it."

The gladiator raises his sword, "We who are about to die salute you!" Trump waives his hand and the battle begins.

Isn't it funny how A;baby is consistently right Dope? Why is that?