The withdrawal of the federal freeze was a stunning about-face for President Donald Trump’s White House, which has so far pushed the envelope to reshape the federal government in Trump’s mold, sowing chaos and confusion that comes with firing career civil servants, pausing foreign aid programs and offering federal workers a buyout.

The move comes after the order sparked widespread criticism and confusion. A federal district judge had temporarily paused the freeze.

The order that froze trillions of dollars of federal grants and loans was published without vetting by key officials in the White House.

The White House Office of Management and Budget has rescinded a Trump administration directive pausing federal loans, grants and other financial assistance, a White House official said on Wednesday. (Reporting by Jeff Mason and Jasper Ward) Copyright 2025 Thomson Reuters.

The Trump administration on Wednesday rescinded a sweeping directive to pause federal loans, grants and other financial assistance, a White House official said, just shortly before it was set to appear in court for a second straight day to defend the policy.

The White House Office of Management and Budget has rescinded the federal aid freeze, according to a memo obtained by CNN from a Trump administration official

The White House budget office has rescinded its controversial freeze on federal financial aid, lifting the pause that would have gone into effect next Monday evening barring court intervention. The pause on agency funds,

The White House said on Wednesday it was prepared to fight in court after a U.S. judge temporarily blocked part of the Trump administration's sweeping directive to pause federal loans, grants and other financial assistance.