Trump Cuts Imperil the Well-Being of People Nationwide

This statement can be attributed to Cemeré James, interim executive director of the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP)

Washington, D.C., January 28, 2025 – Last night, President Trump announced unprecedented funding freezes for programs that serve people in every congressional district. By cutting off agency grant and loan programs without any notice, the Trump Administration is harming families, children, workers, and communities across the country—and imperiling our nation’s economy.

We are glad to see that numerous state attorneys general and others are challenging the legality of this attempt to override the will of Congress, which has already authorized and appropriated these funds. Congress, not the President, is empowered by the Constitution to determine how the federal government spends its funds. Even so, the harm and chaos that these freezes are already causing and will continue to inflict on popular, impactful programs like community health centers, child care subsidies, and Meals on Wheels cannot be overstated. Moreover, the administration is planning to permanently defund some programs based on arbitrary assessments of whether they meet an ideological purity test.

This power grab will affect not just the individuals and families who rely on these programs and funds but also workers in sectors all over the country. Even if funding is eventually restored, programs may not be able to meet payroll or pay their rent, and the uncertainty has significant, immediate impacts inflicting fear, confusion, and challenges. The hardworking people who look out for others in their communities are at risk of losing their livelihoods because the Trump Administration has put more focus on cutting taxes for its billionaire allies than protecting children, seniors, veterans, and millions of other Americans.

We urge the administration to reverse course and ensure that funds already appropriated by law are allocated to programs relying on them.