A federal appeals court ordered on Saturday that the Trump administration must reinstate a public database detailing the allocation of federal funds.
This came after several lawsuits were filed in March that overturned the database and challenged the freeze on funding, with the administration arguing that Congress was overstepping its bounds regarding data access.
“The government suggests that the balance of power is at stake, and only this court can rectify it. However, our constitution clearly supports Congressional authority at its strongest,” stated U.S. Circuit Judge Karen Henderson.
The order to restore the database is set to take effect on Friday, although the administration may still seek urgent relief from the Supreme Court.
A request for comment from the Department of Justice was made, but no response was reported.
The ruling from a three-judge panel on the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals was unanimous.
Judge Henderson, who was appointed by former President Bush, was the only Republican appointee among the panel, which also included former presidential appointee Robert Wilkins and Biden appointee Brad Garcia.
In a 25-page statement, Henderson criticized the administration, with Wilkins participating. She drew parallels to the British civil war of the 17th century, noting its impact on the authority of Congress over taxation and expenditures.
“In the aftermath of those turbulent times, Congress gained prominence in financial matters. Our constitution acknowledged this control over public funds,” wrote Henderson.
“Lately, the executive branch has sought to exert control over financial matters once again.”
Two advocacy groups that frequently challenge the Trump administration, focused on civic responsibility and ethics in Washington, initiated legal action in April against the database’s removal. They referenced two recent Congressional requirements that mandate the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to publish funding allocation decisions within two business days.
According to Henderson’s ruling, “Without this information, citizens would be deprived of vital knowledge that the founders—Franklin, Jefferson, Madison, Mason—deemed essential for our Republic.”
Amid bipartisan pressure to restore these trackers, the administration has claimed that the information could threaten national security. The Justice Department additionally argued that the two groups lacked standing to sue and that the mandate to publish data is unconstitutional.
The administration’s appeal to the DC Circuit follows a ruling from U.S. District Judge Emmett Sullivan last month, which stated that the database must be restored.
The DC Circuit has paused Sullivan’s ruling while it considers the administration’s request for a longer suspension. The ruling from Saturday will remain in effect until the appeal is resolved in due course.
