Trump memo to halt federal funds triggers confusion and constitutional questions

US President Donald Trump arrives at the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC on January 27, 2025. (Photo by Kent Nishimura / AFP) (Photo by KENT NISHIMURA/AFP via Getty Images)

Sergei Gapon / Sergei Gapon

Updated Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 5:05 p.m.

Federal agencies, states and other organizations that receive money from the federal government were scrambling on Tuesday to understand the details of a new Trump administration memo that appeared to call for a sweeping halt of federal funding and grant programs.

The short memo, which was released Monday, caused widespread confusion.