Thursday Briefing
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Trump reversed an order to freeze federal funds
The White House yesterday walked back President Trump’s order to freeze trillions of dollars in federal grants and loans. A federal judge had on Tuesday temporarily blocked the order after it caused mass confusion across the country.
The Trump administration had struggled to explain the funding freeze, a decision that interrupted the Medicaid system, which provides health care to millions of low-income Americans.
Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, wrote on social media that “This is NOT a rescission of the federal funding freeze.” She said the president’s executive orders on federal funding “remain in full force and effect, and will be rigorously implemented.”
The decision by the Trump administration to pull the directive was a significant reversal. Democratic leaders celebrated the announcement.
Grilling: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s pick for health secretary, faced tough questions and struggled to convince senators that he was not against vaccines during confirmation hearings in Washington. Kennedy — who has been vocally skeptical of vaccines, supports unorthodox diets and has spouted conspiracy theories — is one of Trump’s most polarizing choices.
Guantánamo Bay: Trump has ordered his administration to prepare to house 30,000 “criminal aliens” at the Navy base. In recent weeks, about 40,000 immigrants have been held in private detention centers and local jails around the country.