A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration unlawfully removed a public website meant to track how federal funds are allocated, and he has ordered that it be restored.
US District Judge Emmett Sullivan determined on Monday that the administration violated a law from Congress regarding the database supervised by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
“It’s not unconstitutional to require Congress to ensure the administrator is aware of how public money is spent. Thus, the defendant must cease breaking the law!” Sullivan stated in his 60-page ruling.
The judge mandated that the database be reinstated. However, following a request from the Department of Justice, he postponed this order until Thursday morning, giving the administration a chance to seek emergency relief from the Court of Appeals.
Oka contacted both the OMB and the Department of Justice for their comments.
The agency has limited power to allocate funding approved by Congress through installment payments.
As part of a legislative funding agreement, Congress instructed the OMB to “create an automated system to post all documents relating to budget allocation.” This was outlined in a 2022 bill. Moreover, the office was required to “maintain and operate” this automated system for “2023 and each subsequent fiscal year.” Funding measures passed that same year enforced this requirement.
Earlier this year, the Trump administration claimed it could no longer maintain the system, stating that the website contained sensitive information that could endanger national security. In court, the administration argued that the requirement for public postings was unconstitutional.
Sullivan, appointed by former President Clinton, chose not to entertain that argument. He found that the administration’s actions contravened two funding transactions and the Document Reduction Act, which mandates timely dissemination of public information.
The ruling highlighted the importance of transparency and responsibility in government operations, and it has sparked various legal challenges against the administration, including a lawsuit related to the website’s removal in April.
“By scrapping the public allocation database, the defendants stripped away a tool essential for tracking government spending and safeguarding the democratic oversight that relies on scrutinizing public funds and responding to potential legal violations,” Sullivan wrote.
This removal is part of a broader series of actions by the administration that have been contested in court this year, as it seeks to cut certain government functions without Congressional approval.
“Today’s ruling signals that neither President Trump nor OMB Director Russell Vought can disregard budget laws simply because they don’t align with their policies,” stated Selin Lindgrensavage, a lawyer advocating for governmental transparency. “Congress has established laws that enable the public to see how taxpayer dollars are spent, and we will continue to hold the administration accountable for that obligation.”
Recently, the Trump administration has faced bipartisan calls to restore its allocation database, with lawmakers from both parties emphasizing that the administration legally must maintain this website.
“It’s the law. There’s no discretion for the OMB here; they are required by law to comply,” remarked Senate Budget Speaker Susan Collins (R-Maine) earlier this year.
