Trump’s Federal Grant Freeze: A Dangerous Power Grab

Trump’s Grant Freeze Undermines Checks on Executive Power

When someone tells you who they are, believe them. Trump said he would be “a dictator on day one,” and while he may have been a few days off, it certainly seems like his vision of power is inching closer to reality. On Monday, his administration froze all federal grants and loans, an aggressive move that threatens to disrupt critical programs across the country, from education and healthcare to poverty relief and disaster response. This freeze could jeopardize vital services that millions of Americans rely on, putting entire communities at risk. Thankfully, a federal judge stepped in, temporarily blocking Trump’s plan just minutes after the clock struck 5 p.m., and the administration itself has since reversed the decision. 

But let’s be clear: this freeze would have been an unconstitutional overreach. The president is withholding funds that Congress has already authorized. The Constitution grants Congress the “power of the purse,” the sole authority to allocate federal funds. The president doesn’t have the legal right to ignore Congress’s decisions and withhold spending. This is a direct violation of the Constitution—and a dangerous step toward consolidating executive power. 

The freeze would have had far-reaching consequences. For example, research funding could have been frozen, delaying critical scientific advancements and potentially halting ongoing cancer research. Title I education grants, which support low-income students, could have been withheld, endangering the education of vulnerable children. Medicaid, which provides healthcare for low-income Americans, could have faced cuts, leaving millions without coverage. Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant program, which supports affordable housing and urban renewal, might have been frozen, leaving communities in limbo. Section 8 rental assistance, which helps low-income families secure safe housing, could have been delayed, putting renters at risk of eviction. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) could have been disrupted, making it harder for struggling families to survive. 

Programs like WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children), which provides essential nutrition to low-income pregnant women and children, could have been frozen, leaving families without critical resources. The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) clean water grants could have been withheld, jeopardizing efforts to maintain safe drinking water. Even state highway reimbursements might have been delayed, hurting local economies and infrastructure. Local law enforcement agencies could have faced cuts, disrupting public safety. 

And let’s not forget foreign aid—Trump recently suspended U.S. foreign assistance, halting lifesaving medical supplies for HIV, malaria, tuberculosis and newborn care in countries dependent on U.S. aid. The U.S. is the world’s largest foreign aid donor, and this decision will have devastating public health consequences worldwide. 

While the Department of Education reassured us that Pell Grants and FAFSA funds would not be directly impacted, other critical programs—like childcare, nutrition assistance, housing and healthcare—remain at serious risk, even with the decision being reversed. The uncertainty surrounding these issues is creating widespread chaos and anxiety. Given Trump’s previous remarks about potentially gutting the Department of Education, there remains a real threat that Pell Grants and FAFSA could face drastic cuts or changes. For students at St. Lawrence University, including myself, these resources aren’t just helpful; they’re essential. The looming threat of such cuts isn’t just unsettling—it could have devastating consequences for students who rely on financial aid to continue their education. 

This isn’t about austerity; it’s a political maneuver that undermines the core checks and balances of our government. If the president can unilaterally withhold funds that Congress has already allocated, it sets a dangerous precedent for unchecked executive power over the entire federal budget. This isn’t about fiscal responsibility; it’s a blatant power grab that threatens the very foundations of American democracy. 

Where are the Democrats in all of this? They seem more focused on twiddling their thumbs and holding “emergency” press conferences a day too late to actually put up any meaningful opposition. Legal challenges have been filed, but that’s not enough. Congress must step in and assert its constitutional authority before executive power spirals out of control. If this move is allowed to stand, it could pave the way for future presidents to bypass Congress and unilaterally control federal spending. 

This isn’t just a political dispute; it’s a crisis for American democracy. The balance of powers that has kept our government in check for more than two centuries is at risk. If we don’t act, we could find ourselves in a future where the president can withhold federal funds from any program or institution they disapprove of—without oversight, accountability, or the will of the people behind them. 

This freeze, reversed or not, isn’t about one set of programs or one decision—it’s an existential threat to the democratic principles that define our nation. Congress must step in and assert its constitutional authority before we lose the checks and balances that are fundamental to our government. If we allow this to go unchallenged, we may never get it back. We need to act now—this is not about politics; it’s about protecting our democracy.