Donald Trump’s federal funding freeze blocked by US District Judge Loren AliKhan as trillions hang in balance
After President Donald Trump issued a mass federal funding freeze that would have seen trillions held back from agencies, a US judge has blocked the move minutes before it came into effect, halting the Republican administration.
Officials in Washington DC described the sudden freeze as “chaos” after a vague order was issued by the White House, with little detail to ascertain which groups would and wouldn’t be affected by the sudden freezing of federal funds.
The order, which was set to come into effect from Tuesday, 5pm Eastern Time, could have seen trillions withheld from agencies that work across healthcare, schools, housing, aid (both domestic and foreign), research and government grants.
As agencies panicked, and officials scrambled to provide further detail, US District Judge Loren AliKhan stopped Mr Trump in his tracks.
Judge Alikhan’s block has halted the freeze until at least Monday, February 3.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt attempted to hose down concern in her maiden briefing, saying: “This is not a blanket pause on federal assistance and grant programs from the Trump administration.”
Ms Leavitt said the Trump administration would review funding, and restore the flow of funds if they felt it was required.
“If they feel that programs are necessary and in line with the president’s agenda, then the Office of Management and Budget will review those policies,” Ms Leavitt said.
More to come…
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