Judge Blocks Trump Administration Child Care Funding Cuts to Five States

U.S. District Judge Vernon Broderick ruled on Friday, January 23, 2026, that the Donald Trump administration must continue providing federal funding for child care subsidies and social service programs to California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, and New York. The ruling extends a temporary restraining order by two weeks, until February 6, while the court determines if funds should remain available during a legal challenge.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Administration for Children and Families attempted to pause over $10 billion in annual funding, including the Child Care and Development Fund, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and the Social Services Block Grant. Federal officials cited concerns that benefits were reaching undocumented immigrants, partly based on media reports and a right-wing influencer's video. The administration demanded recipient names and Social Security numbers by January 20 to resume payments.

The five Democratic-led states argued the demands were an "impossible demand on an impossible timeline" and that the administration was targeting political adversaries. Judge Broderick characterized the government's attempt to restrict funds before finding specific wrongdoing as "the cart before the horse."

Following the ruling, child care advocacy groups and officials in Ohio expressed concern that similar freezes could target other states. While the administration denies the action was a "funding freeze," advocates warn that any funding delays would be catastrophic for families experiencing material hardship.