Whoops! White House Rescinds Memo Freezing Federal Financial Assistance

After a disastrous rollout and widespread backlash, the Trump administration has rescinded an from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to freeze the distribution of billions in federal funds and grant money to government programs. 

In a brief memorandum issued to executive departments and agencies on Wednesday, the OMB wrote that “OMB Memorandum M-25-13 is rescinded. If you have questions about implementing the President’s Executive Orders, please contact your agency General Counsel.” 

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt insisted that the administration is not backing down. “This is NOT a rescission of the federal funding freeze,” she wrote. “It is simply a rescission of the OMB memo. Why? To end any confusion created by the court’s injunction. The President’s EO’s on federal funding remain in full force and effect, and will be rigorously implemented.”

The temporary freeze threw scores of government funded agencies into chaos and confusion. Medicaid portals were down, early childhood support organizations found themselves cut off from funding, and even Meals on Wheels was left scrambling — all before the order was officially set to go into effect. 

Ahead of the order’s implementation, two lawsuits were filed challenging its constitutionality, and President Donald Trump’s authority to issue such a widespread seizure of funds approved by Congress. Hours later, U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan partially blocked the order’s enforcement pending an emergency hearing for a temporary restraining order.

Throughout the day, the Trump administration attempted to backtrack and clarify large portions of the order’s vague instructions, insisting that agencies responsible for providing individual assistance and direct payment to Americans would be exempt, despite the problems being reported by those very same groups.

“FAFO,” wrote Rep, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in response to the order’s repeal, which is to say: Fuck around and find out.