'Not a blanket pause': White House clarifies exemptions on federal aid

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt vehemently defended the administration’s sweeping freeze on federal aid, arguing Tuesday in her first press briefing that it was critical to scrutinize the scope of the government’s spending. “The reason for this is to ensure that every penny going out the door is not conflicting with the executive orders and action that this president has taken,” Leavitt said. “This is a very responsible measure.” Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/28/trump-omb-funding-cuts-00200998