A federal judge on Friday seemed likely to extend his earlier block on the Trump administration's freeze on federal grants and other financial assistance, suggesting the broad initiative was beyond the powers of federal agencies.

The case, brought by attorneys general in 22 states and the District of Columbia, represents a pivotal test for the administration as it pursues a dramatic review of government spending priorities.

The states told U.S. District Court Chief Judge John McConnell Jr., that the Trump Administration’s threat to freeze trillions of dollars of grants and loans budgeted to fund everything from homelessness to health care. In some cases, even a delay of hours or days, the lawyers said, would cause “irreparable harm” to communities.

In a seven-page order, U.S. District Court Judge Amir Ali seemed troubled by complaints from aid groups that much of the funding remained on hold despite his Feb. 13 order suspend