During the first few weeks into President Donald Trump’s presidency, his administration halted the process of providing federal grants to the people and small organizations. He claimed that “prioritizing budget cuts and investing in efficient programs would be necessary for the United States.” 

Among lower-income families and communities, federal grants have been a main pillar, providing essential assistance to access healthcare, housing, and education. These vital resources offered to the public have become a source of support in times of desperate need. Programs including Medicaid, food stamps, Pell Grants, rental assistance, and more have all been threatened. With vulnerability in play, the loss of these grants may result in higher levels of poverty, homelessness, and economic instability. Disrupting the system of the U.S. may cause a chain reaction and eventually deteriorate the rest of the government. 

However, Trump’s attempt to freeze federal grants has been temporarily paused due to it exceeding the president’s authority. The violation of large communities that depended on federal aid was an issue because it was excessive damage to the public. With the policy being deemed unconstitutional, the order to freeze the halting of federal grants was made until enough justification was given for these measures to take place. Additionally, many states, local governments, small businesses, and advocacy groups filed lawsuits against this action to follow legal procedures when resuming.  

Following the announcement, citizens have questioned Trump’s plans while raising alarm among the population regarding its negative impact. While these steps have been blocked temporarily, many anticipate the decision will resurface and spark global concerns.