What to Know About Trump’s Pause on Federal Aid

These actions, which take effect at 5 p.m. ET on Jan. 28, are all but certain to be challenged in court.

President Donald Trump speaks in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Jan. 21, 2025. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

The Trump administration issued a memo on Jan. 27 that federal funding for grants, loans, and other financial assistance programs is being paused pending review.

Acting Office of Management and Budget Director Matthew Vaeth said in a memo leaked to media outlets that Trump won “a mandate to increase the impact of every federal taxpayer dollar.”