By Zeke Miller and Chris Merkel of the Associated Press
Washington (AP) Less than two days after it caused nationwide confusion and legal challenges, President Donald Trump’s budget office revoked an order on Wednesday that froze spending on government grants, according to two people familiar with the situation.
The White House was left scrambling to clarify what would and wouldn’t be subject to a funding pause after the White House Office of Management and Budget issued an order Monday evening that raised questions about a vital financial lifeline for states, schools, and organizations that depend on trillions of dollars from Washington.
In a two-sentence notification to agencies and departments on Wednesday, the OMB revoked the order, according to the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal guidance.
Democratic opponents of the order quickly praised the move.
Sen. Patty Murray, a Democrat from Washington, stated, “This is a significant victory for the American people whose voices were heard after tremendous pressure from all over this country. Real people made a difference by speaking out.” Still, millions of people have experienced actual injury and disruption over the past 48 hours, which is still going on, as a result of the Trump administration’s mix of blatant incompetence, malicious intent, and intentional disdain for the law.