UPDATE – A judge is temporarily halting President Donald Trump’s plan to freeze federal aid.
A federal judge granted an administrative stay, pausing Trump’s plans at least through Monday. The freeze was set to take effect Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. Eastern and was ordered on domestic and foreign federal aid with Social Security and Medicare not affected.
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump is ordering a freeze on federal grants and loans.
A White House internal memo reportedly said the temporary pause will go into effect at 5 p.m. Eastern Tuesday and allow for agency programs to be reviewed. The freeze includes payments for the federal pell grant, school meals for low-income students, the WIC nutrition program and a reintegration program for homeless veterans. The freeze will not impact Social Security, Medicare or direct payments to people.
Democratic state attorneys general are taking legal action. A lawsuit is being filed by Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and others over the order. Mayes said Trump’s action would put school lunches and other critical assistance at risk. Trump ordered the pause on aid to allow for agency programs to be reviewed.
“Donald Trump’s Administration blatantly disobeys the law by holding up virtually all vital funds that support programs in every community across the country,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said.
Last week it got down to -35° in International Falls. Yet Donald Trump appears to have just halted the bipartisan program that keeps folks’ heat on through the winter.
LIHEAP isn’t the *woke agenda.* It’s life or death for many Minnesotans. https://t.co/Md1J5t1rSG
— Senator Tina Smith (@SenTinaSmith) January 28, 2025
