The Office of Management and Budget released a memorandum ordering the pause of all Federal financial assistance programs on Monday, Jan. 27, which has since been blocked amidst frustration and confusion from citizens. This was not going to affect individual financial aid packages, such as FAFSA, but targeted larger national organizations. It made its way back to the court on Feb. 3, when the temporary pause was expanded.
District Judge Loren L. AliKhan temporarily blocked the freeze minutes before it was going to take effect at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, but was not the only concerned party. Democratic attorneys general from 22 states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit minutes later attempting to permanently prevent the Trump administration from cutting funding, according to the AP News update Jan. 29.
The leaked memo, M-25-13, pointed to a combination of executive orders as reasoning for the Trump administration’s review of government spending, including the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) program still being reviewed by the courts.
“Financial assistance should be dedicated to advancing Administration priorities, focusing taxpayer dollars to advance a stronger and safer America, eliminating the financial burden of inflation for citizens, unleashing American energy and manufacturing, ending “wokeness” and the weaponization of government, promoting efficiency in government and Making America Healthy Again,” said Matthew J. Vaeth, acting director of the Office of Management and Budget in the memo. “The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve. This memorandum requires Federal agencies to identify and review all Federal financial assistance programs and supporting activities consistent with the President’s policies and requirements.”
As of now, all delays are temporary, and this will likely be an ongoing conflict. According to NPR, the Office of Management and Budget will have to provide a report of its compliance with the expanded pause.
