The Trump administration’s pause on federal aid raises legal questions and has prompted Democrats to level charges of overreach.
Matthew J. Vaeth, acting director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, issued a memo on Jan. 27 requiring federal agencies to pause the disbursement of federal financial assistance that may be affected by President Donald Trump’s executive orders.
Medicare and Social Security are excepted.
At issue is whether the temporary pause on distributing financial aid to organizations constitutes an unconstitutional use of the presidential power of impoundment.
Democrats say it does while the White House has defended the action as a reasonable step to ensure financial accountability....
