The White House has committed to freezing federal grants and loans aimed at “woke” programs, despite the administration’s decision to rescind the original Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memo that would have implemented the freeze. The memo, which was sent to federal agencies on Monday, aimed to pause all federal grants and loans in order to eradicate “wokeness” and the “weaponization of government” and improve government efficiency.
However, a federal judge on Tuesday paused the Trump administration’s action, effectively freezing the freeze. The administration has now rescinded the original memo, announcing that the decision is intended to end any “confusion” and allow the government to focus on enforcing the President’s orders on controlling federal spending.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the rescission of the memo “should effectively end the court case and allow the government to focus on enforcing the President’s orders on controlling federal spending.” Leavitt added that more executive action will continue to be taken to end the “egregious waste of federal funding” in the coming weeks and months.
Despite the memo being rescinded, the White House has stressed that if funds coming out of federal agencies are at odds with the president’s executive orders, such as funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, those funds will still be frozen. However, programs like Social Security benefits, Medicare, food stamps, and other assistance going directly to individuals will not be impacted by the pause.
Leavitt also emphasized that it is important for the administration to ensure that every penny is being accounted for honestly, and to eliminate government waste. The White House has already identified $37 million that was about to be given to the World Health Organization, and $50 million to “fund condoms in Gaza,” which Leavitt called a “preposterous waste of money.”
