JUST IN: Judge Friedrich, a Trump appointee on the bench in DC, rules that the administration is illegally withholding funds from the National Endowment for Democracy, in violation of Congress' direct appropriation.

This is a significant one for Trump's intent to test of the Impoundment Control Act by withholding congressionally appropriated funds. Congress directly funds NED and says no conditions can be put on its award other than what Congress itself imposes.

NEW: Judge Friedrich's ruling is the latest in a series of legal rebukes suggesting the administration has been defying congressional funding mandates. w/ @ktullymcmanus