Trump’s freeze on funds raises questions, concerns, criticism

The Trump administration rescinded a memo which alerted agencies and organizations to identify and review federal financial assistance programs that do not align with the president’s new policies. The White House had to release a Q&A regarding the issue because of the instant backlash, confusion and criticism the memo caused across the U.S.

The memo specifically highlight’s Trump executive order signed on Jan. 20, Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government – a move that specifically targets the LGBTQ+ communities and the organizations who aid them. This executive order is one of several targeting members of both the queer and trans communities as well as the immigrant communities. 

Last week, the Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget released the memo, stating Trump’s immediate plans to freeze federal funds that would directly impact departments and agencies who the administration claims are working toward spreading "gender ideology extremism." The memo immediately created widespread confusion and raised concerns among all organizations who receive federal funds. 

The White House even had to release an immediate Q&A to answer all the questions and concerns regarding the freeze. The now-deleted  Q&A explained that the freeze on federal funds was meant for organizations who use federal funds to protect LGBTQ+ rights, access to housing, combating domestic violence and many more, further stating that organizations that provide Medicare, Social Security and SNAP benefits are exempt from this freeze. 

Quickly following the release of this memo and moments before it was scheduled to take effect, District Judge Loren L. AliKhan issued a block and shortly after that, the administration rescinded the freeze in a two-sentence statement, all while arguing that Trump’s action is not full impoundment, which is when a president holds back money that Congress has already approved for a specific purpose. 

The first memo urged agencies to immediately review financial assistance programs and activities to align with the new policies and requirements set forth by the new administration in order to "protect the American people and safeguard taxpayer resources," referencing the list of executive orders Trump signed into action over the first 10 days in office. 

Organizations who heavily rely on this type of assistance worked swiftly to release statements regarding the latest attack on vulnerable communities such as those who are undocumented or identify as LGBTQ+. 

The Los Angeles LGBT Center reached out to the community to ask for support while the future financial stability becomes uncertain as more incoming threats loom on the horizon. The Center is only one of many organizations which receive federal funding and who stand to see the detrimental losses of financial assistance under this administration. 

“We know that our work is being targeted by the Trump Administration and Republican-controlled Congress, but we remain unwavering in our commitment to providing the life-saving services that are essential to our community,” said Joe Hollendoner, CEO of the L.A. LGBT Center. “The Center will fight to protect federal funding for Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, HIV services and LGBTQ+ specific intimate partner violence programs,  despite scare tactics by members of the Trump administration to cut these services.”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer issued a statement regarding Monday’s ban on federal funds. “In the blink of an eye, and in the dead of night Donald Trump committed one of the cruelest actions I have seen the federal government make in a very long time,” said Schumer. 

This is just the first of many attacks and attempts to severely punish and disable organizations who are working to ensure that vulnerable populations receive basic needs and assistance.