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Can Trump Cancel Government Funds Through Impoundment? What To Know As He Pauses All Federal Assistance.


Published on 2025-01-28 10:20:38 - Forbes
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  • President Donald Trump's administration issued a memo Monday ordering all federal assistance to be temporarily paused, as Trump and his allies have argued he can block government funds that Congress has already authorized, despite a federal law forbidding it.

The article discusses former President Donald Trump's potential use of impoundment to withhold federal funds, a power he has suggested he might employ if re-elected. Impoundment refers to the executive's authority to refuse to spend money Congress has appropriated. Historically, this power was significantly curtailed by the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974, following President Nixon's controversial use of it. Trump has expressed interest in reviving this practice, particularly to cut what he considers wasteful spending, including foreign aid. Legal experts are divided on whether Trump could legally reinstate impoundment without new legislation, with some arguing that current laws already provide sufficient checks and balances through mechanisms like rescission bills. The article also notes that Trump's previous attempts at impoundment during his presidency were met with legal challenges, suggesting that any future attempts would likely face similar scrutiny and opposition from Congress.

Read the Full Forbes Article at:
[ https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2025/01/28/can-trump-cancel-government-funds-through-impoundment-what-to-know-as-he-pauses-all-federal-assistance/ ]