The White House remains committed to freezing federal grants and loans aimed at 'woke' programs, despite a federal judge's temporary pause on the Trump administration's OMB memo that sought to implement the freeze. The White House insists the freeze will continue through other means and touted its efforts to identify wasteful government spending.
The White House remains steadfast in its commitment to freezing federal grants and loans directed toward 'woke' programs, despite the administration's decision to revoke the original Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memo. This move effectively concludes the legal dispute and any 'confusion' for recipients. A federal judge issued a temporary injunction on Tuesday halting the Trump administration's OMB memo, which sought to suspend funding for various federal programs.
On Wednesday, the Trump administration rescinded the original memo. 'In light of the injunction, OMB has rescinded the memo to end any confusion on federal policy created by the court ruling and the dishonest media coverage,' White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News on Wednesday. 'The Executive Orders issued by the President on funding reviews remain in full force and effect and will be rigorously implemented by all agencies and departments.'Leavitt emphasized to Fox News that rescinding the memo 'should effectively end the court case and allow the government to focus on enforcing the President’s orders on controlling federal spending.' She added, 'In the coming weeks and months, more executive action will continue to end the egregious waste of federal funding.' The initial memo, sent to federal agencies on Monday, instructed a temporary halt on all federal grants and loans aimed at combating 'wokeness' and the 'weaponization of government' to enhance government efficiency. 'Federal agencies must temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance, and other relevant agency activities that may be implicated by the executive orders, including, but not limited to, financial assistance for foreign aid, nongovernmental organizations, DEI, woke gender ideology, and the green new deal,' the memo, obtained by Fox Digital, stated. The pause was scheduled to commence at 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Tuesday.Democrats had criticized the Trump administration's freeze of federal funds, arguing that President Trump is circumventing Congress and withholding congressionally appropriated funds, thereby violating the Impoundment Control Act. U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan for the District of Columbia, appointed by former President Joe Biden, imposed an administrative stay on Tuesday afternoon, effectively pausing the Trump administration's action. The administrative stay suspends the freeze until Monday. The White House underscored that despite the memo's revocation, if funds disbursed by federal agencies conflict with the president's executive orders, for instance, funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, those funds will remain frozen. However, programs such as Social Security benefits, Medicare, food stamps, welfare benefits, and other direct assistance to individuals will remain unaffected by the pause, according to Leavitt. Leavitt, during the White House press briefing on Tuesday, characterized the pause as 'temporary' and noted that the Trump administration has implemented other freezes across the government, including a regulatory and hiring freeze. 'It’s incumbent upon this administration to make sure, again, that every penny is being accounted for honestly,' Leavitt stated. Additionally, Leavitt disclosed that Trump's newly established Department of Government Efficiency, aimed at eliminating government spending and waste, identified $37 million earmarked for the World Health Organization, along with $50 million designated to 'fund condoms in Gaza.' 'That is a preposterous waste of money,' Leavitt asserted.
WHITE HOUSE FEDERAL GRANTS LOANS WOKE PROGRAMS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OMB MEMO LEGAL BATTLE GOVERNMENT SPENDING WASTE
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Elon Musk, White House adviser, says OpenAI deal announced at White House is a shamElon Musk is alleging that the companies behind The Stargate Project “don’t actually have the money” for the $500 billion AI data center initiative.
Read more »
First lady Melania Trump poses in black and white official White House portraitThe White House released the official portrait of first lady Melania Trump on Monday.
Read more »
Melania Trump's Official White House Portrait Revealed in Striking Black and WhiteFormer First Lady Melania Trump's official White House portrait, captured by Belgian photographer Régine Mahaux, is a striking black and white image showcasing her in a Dolce & Gabbana tuxedo in the Yellow Oval Room. The portrait departs from traditional White House portraits with its monochromatic aesthetic and unconventional location. Mahaux aimed to capture Melania's kindness and engagement in the image, emphasizing its authenticity.
Read more »
House Speaker Defies White House, Orders Flags to Full-Staff for Trump's InaugurationHouse Speaker Mike Johnson's decision to raise the U.S. Capitol flags to full-staff for President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration, despite a White House proclamation to keep them at half-staff for former President Jimmy Carter, has sparked controversy.
Read more »
House Speaker to Raise Flags at Capitol for Trump Inauguration, Defying White HouseHouse Speaker Mike Johnson announced that he will raise the flags at the Capitol to full-staff for President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration, disregarding a White House proclamation to keep them at half-staff in honor of President Jimmy Carter's death.
Read more »
Closing arguments continue in corruption trial of former IL House Speaker Michael MadiganClosing arguments are set to continue Thursday in the federal corruption trial of longtime Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan
Read more »