Arun Subramanian: an Indian judge who dealt a blow to Trump, overturning a major government decision

Judge Arun Subramanian was appointed during the administration of former President Joe Biden. (File Photo: ITG)

Indian-American judge Arun Subramanian has issued a temporary injunction against the Trump administration’s decision to withhold approximately $10 billion in funding for child care, family assistance, and social services in Democrat-governed states. The judge stated that abruptly cutting off funding could cause serious harm to poor families and vulnerable populations, and that there were legal flaws in the process.

A decision by an Indian-origin district court judge in the United States has become a major political controversy. Judge Arun Subramanian, appointed by former President Joe Biden, temporarily blocked the Trump administration from withholding billions of dollars in funding for programs in Democrat-led states. Following this, MAGA supporters and those close to Trump launched sharp attacks on the judge.

According to a New York Times report from January 9, U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian issued a temporary order directing the Trump administration to halt its planned cuts of approximately $10 billion in funding. This funding was allocated to child care, family assistance, and social services, and its suspension would have affected states such as New York, California, Minnesota, Illinois, and Colorado.

Trump Administration Had Suspended Funding

The Trump administration had announced the suspension of this funding earlier this month. The government stated that there were serious concerns about fraud and misuse of taxpayer money in programs run by state governments. Specific reference was made to alleged scandals related to daycare programs in Minnesota, which were linked to the “America First” policy, immigration, and government spending.

Several States Approach the Court

However, the affected states approached the court, arguing that withholding the funding was illegal. The states contended that it violated Congress’s budgetary authority and that established administrative procedures had not been followed. They also argued that the decision would immediately harm poor families, children, and people with disabilities. The cuts included approximately $7.3 billion in family assistance, $2.4 billion in child care funding, and other social programs.

New York Attorney General Letitia James hailed the decision as a major relief for families, stating that it provided essential funding for those whose lives depend on these programs.

Who is Judge Arun Subramanian?

Arun Srinivasan Subramanian, 45, is considered one of the youngest judges in the US federal court system. In 2023, he became the first South Asian judge appointed to the Southern District of New York. Former President Joe Biden nominated him in 2022, and the Senate confirmed his appointment on the recommendation of Senator Chuck Schumer.

Arun Subramanian was born in Pittsburgh in 1979. His parents immigrated to the United States from India. He studied computer science and English and later earned a law degree from Columbia Law School. He has worked with several senior judges, including US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

As a lawyer, he secured over a billion dollars for his clients in complex cases and also played an active role in pro bono cases. As a judge, he is known for his calm and balanced judgments. His decision during the sentencing in the high-profile Sean “Diddy” Combs case in 2025 was also widely discussed.