In a sweeping and unprecedented attempt to seize power reserved for Congress, President Donald Trump's budget office on Monday directed government agencies to freeze all grants and loans for a wide range of programs that could include domestic infrastructure projects, health care programs, housing assistance and a host of other initiatives that depend on money authorized by lawmakers. The order was issued in a leaked two-page memo first obtained by Marisa Kabas, an independent journalist.
Matthew Vaeth, Trump’s acting head of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), wrote that the pause, which will take effect on Tuesday evening, is being imposed to ensure that the government is complying with Trump's policy agenda and will not affect Social Security, Medicare or "assistance provided directly to individuals." Possible exceptions will be reviewed and granted on a "case-by-case basis." Agencies have a Feb. 10 deadline to submit appeals on any program targeted for suspension.
