President Donald Trump has found a fight that he does not want to pick after backlash to his sweeping freeze on federal aid threatened to consume the start of his second term.
In less than 48 hours, the Office of Management and Budget issued and then rescinded a memorandum that instructed departments to pause all financial assistance that does not comply with administration policy. The decision came after states reported being locked out of payment portals for Medicaid and other federal help.
On Capitol Hill, Trump faced bipartisan complaints as constituents and affected groups flooded lawmakers’ offices with phone calls.
The White House maintains that the rescission was to “end any confusion” after a judge temporarily halted the order’s implementation. In the same statement, press secretary Karoline Leavitt denied the White House had reversed course.
“The…
