The Trump administration on Monday night announced a total pause in federal grants and loans in an order that seems to usurp the United States Congress's constitutional powers to control public spending.
As Politico's Playbook writes, the sweeping order halts grants and loans "issued to research bodies, charities, universities and community projects" in federal spending that totals roughly $3 trillion.
The publication goes on to note that Trump's order could very well be illegal, and it cites a statement by Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) arguing that "Congress approved these investments and they are not optional; they are the law."
However, Playbook believes that Trump could be teeing up a legal challenge to laws that were passed in the wake of the Watergate scandal that barred presidents from impounding money appropriated by Congress.
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Regardless of the legal issues, however, Playbook also believes that Trump could be taking a big political risk with such a broad pause.
"His supporters are already celebrating the imminent spending purge, but over the next few days, we’re going to discover the full range of programs, projects and initiatives whose funds have suddenly been blocked," writes Playbook.
"And given the sweeping scale of the order, it seems unlikely these will all be glowingly liberal, woke-tastic DEI projects in coastal America. This order is going to affect communities the length and breadth of the country. Be careful what you wish for, Mr. President."