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Drudge Retort: The Other Side of the News
Wednesday, January 29, 2025

The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) rescinded a memo Wednesday that had ordered a "temporary pause" on federal funding and unleashed major confusion across the country.

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New in PN: Trump's chaos governance failed once. He's trying it again.

"Trumpers have relished the dysfunction they've sown, calling it 'shock and awe.' The comparison of the start of Trump's new term to the beginning of Bush's failed Iraq War may prove to be very apt, in a catastrophic way."[image or embed]

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) January 29, 2025 at 8:51 AM

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More from the article...

... Why it matters: It's an astonishing reversal by the Trump administration, a day after top officials defended the funding freeze -- which a judge temporarily halted on Tuesday -- as necessary to ensure all government spending was aligned with the president's vision.

Catch up quick: The memo ordering the freeze, issued Monday night, had called for a pause on federal grant, loan and other financial assistance programs -- potentially affecting billions or even trillions of dollars in spending. ...

What they're saying: "This is an important victory for the American people whose voices were heard after massive pressure from every corner of this country " real people made a difference by speaking out," Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, said in a statement.

- - - "Still, the Trump administration " through a combination of sheer incompetence, cruel intentions, and a willful disregard of the law " caused real harm and chaos for millions over the span of the 48 hours which is still ongoing," she added.

- - - The White House has not yet officially addressed why OMB decided to rescind the memo. ...



#1 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-01-29 01:35 PM | Reply

"... sheer incompetence, cruel intentions, and a willful disregard of the law " caused real harm and chaos for millions..."

Wasn't that his campaign promise?

#2 | Posted by Corky at 2025-01-29 01:52 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 3

Damn.
Courts and public pressure might just save this buffoon.

On the bright side, we're better off because of it.

#3 | Posted by YAV at 2025-01-29 01:55 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

The government can only get away with what we allow them to.

The next four years need to be a resounding rejection of all things MAGA.

#4 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-01-29 01:55 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Donald effed up. Donald effed up bad. Donald has been effing up ever since he was sworn in. Nice to see him it admit it this time, although not in so many words.

#5 | Posted by Zed at 2025-01-29 01:57 PM | Reply

"Still, the Trump administration " through a combination of sheer incompetence, cruel intentions, and a willful disregard of the law " caused real harm and chaos for millions over the span of the 48 hours which is still ongoing,"

Completely true.

But that sadistic old man; that cynical cretin, Donald, did get his jollies for a few hours.

#6 | Posted by Zed at 2025-01-29 01:58 PM | Reply

The next four years need to be a resounding rejection of all things MAGA.

#4 | POSTED BY CLOWNSHACK

It is not in the American interest, and not even in MAGAs interest, to give Donald an inch.

#7 | Posted by Zed at 2025-01-29 02:00 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Fat Donnie Dumbass proving once again he's a ------- retarded idiot.

#8 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2025-01-29 02:07 PM | Reply

Well the WH says the freeze is still in effect it's just the OMB memo that was rescinded

Cue circus music

#9 | Posted by truthhurts at 2025-01-29 02:31 PM | Reply

Karoline Leavitt says that?

#10 | Posted by YAV at 2025-01-29 02:34 PM | Reply

That's a shame. I was really counting on this hurting the right people ... everyone.

#11 | Posted by censored at 2025-01-29 02:54 PM | Reply

Another veiw ...

Trump makes moves to expand his power, sparking chaos and a possible constitutional crisis
apnews.com

... Just a little over a week into his second term, President Donald Trump took steps to maximize his power, sparking chaos and what critics contend is a constitutional crisis as he challenges the separation of powers that have defined American government for more than 200 years.

The new administration's most provocative move came this week, as it announced it would temporarily halt federal payments to ensure they complied with Trump's orders barring diversity programs. The technical-sounding directive had enormous immediate impact before it was blocked by a federal judge, potentially pulling trillions of dollars from police departments, domestic violence shelters, nutrition services and disaster relief programs that rely on federal grants. The administration on Wednesday rescinded the order.

Though the Republican administration denied Medicaid was affected, it acknowledged the online portal allowing states to file for reimbursement from the program was shut down for part of Tuesday in what it insisted was an error.

Legal experts noted the president is explicitly forbidden from cutting off spending for programs that Congress has approved. The U.S. Constitution grants Congress the power to appropriate money and requires the executive to pay it out. A 50-year-old law known as the Impoundment Control Act makes that explicit by prohibiting the president from halting payments on grants or other programs approved by Congress. ...

[emphasis mine]


#12 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-01-29 02:57 PM | Reply

Well the WH says the freeze is still in effect it's just the OMB memo that was rescinded
Cue circus music

#9 | POSTED BY TRUTHHURTS

Yeah, I caught that.

Adding more chaos to the chaos they created.

As someone smarter than me commented: a good way to stary an instant recession.

What happened is that Donald had his fee-fees hurt by the backlash and is trying to say that he won anyway.

So typical of him as to only barely be worth reporting.

#13 | Posted by Zed at 2025-01-29 02:59 PM | Reply

"Cue circus music"

Benny Hill.

Yakety Sax

#14 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-01-29 03:03 PM | Reply

Trump put down a mine and then tap danced on it. Again.

This incompetent goon could ruin cereal.

#15 | Posted by Alexandrite at 2025-01-29 03:07 PM | Reply | Funny: 3 | Newsworthy 1

"Trumpers have relished the dysfunction they've sown, calling it 'shock and awe.'

In an actual "shock and awe" campaign you need to take out the command and control structures first so that there can no be coordinated resistance.

Maga can't do that so his "shock and awe" will backfire as the resistance builds up a head of steam because command and control functions were not damaged.

But keep on doing what you doing Trumpy! It's working! America is slowly waking up to the dangers of what it has done to itself.

#16 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-01-29 03:34 PM | Reply

White House Rescinds Trump's Funding Freeze after Massive Backlash

The freeze was such a massively stupid thing to do that it makes you wonder as to the real intent of the freeze. Was it to send a message to the faithful that Trump is abiding by his promises or were the people that initiated the freeze just that stupid? I imagine that even the governors of red (welfare) states were frantic and calling to ask "what the f... are you doing"?

#17 | Posted by FedUpWithPols at 2025-01-29 03:50 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

According to Trump's press secretary, the federal freeze has not been rescinded:

Karoline Leavitt
@PressSec
This is NOT a rescission of the federal funding freeze.

It is simply a rescission of the OMB memo.

Why? To end any confusion created by the court's injunction.

The President's EO's on federal funding remain in full force and effect, and will be rigorously implemented.
.1:40 PM Jan 29, 2025

#18 | Posted by Gal_Tuesday at 2025-01-29 04:41 PM | Reply

Rescinding the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memo while maintaining that the underlying executive orders remain in effect creates an even more confusing situation[1][3].

The rescission of the OMB memo, which initially ordered the freeze on federal grants and loans, has led to uncertainty about the status of federal funding[3]. This action has created a paradoxical situation where the directive to halt funding has been withdrawn, but the White House insists that the freeze itself remains in place[1][4].

This contradictory messaging has several implications:

1. Legal ambiguity: The rescission of the memo came shortly before a federal judge was set to consider a request for a temporary restraining order, adding another layer of complexity to the legal landscape[1].

2. Implementation challenges: Federal agencies may now struggle to understand how to proceed, given that the specific instructions have been rescinded, but the broader policy apparently remains in effect[3].

3. Stakeholder uncertainty: States, schools, and organizations that rely on federal funding are left in limbo, unsure of whether their programs will be affected[3][5].

4. Political tensions: The situation has heightened conflicts between the administration and those challenging the freeze, including Democratic-led states and nonprofit organizations[1][5].

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt's statement that "This is NOT a rescission of the federal funding freeze. It is simply a rescission of the OMB memo" only adds to the confusion[2][4]. This distinction between the memo and the underlying policy is not clear-cut, leaving many to question the practical implications of this decision.

In essence, by rescinding the memo but maintaining the underlying context, the administration has created a situation where the mechanics of implementing the freeze are unclear, while the intent to review and potentially restrict federal funding remains. This lack of clarity is likely to cause ongoing confusion and challenges for all parties involved in federal funding programs[3][5].

Citations:
[1]
www.dw.com
[2] www.dw.com
[3] www.fastcompany.com
[4] www.k12dive.com
[5] www.politico.com
[6] www.kut.org
[7] dnyuz.com
[8] www.cbsnews.com

These people are either completely disingenuous and are just trolling the entire country (especially red states, for whatever reason) or they have no fnkcin' idea what the fnkc they are doing.

#19 | Posted by rstybeach11 at 2025-01-29 04:47 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 5

they have no fnkcin' idea what the fnkc they are doing.

#19 | POSTED BY RSTYBEACH

Bingo.

#20 | Posted by Zed at 2025-01-29 04:54 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Re 19

I'll take who is trolling the entire nation for $1000.

#21 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-01-29 04:54 PM | Reply

Trump has no idea what he's doing. Have you read the whole memo? It's full of fake right wing bogeymen. DEI, Trans stuff, Marxism. It's insane how flat out STUPID trump and his country club of famous white people are.

#22 | Posted by Alexandrite at 2025-01-29 04:54 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

The multiple attacks on Biden in a "press conference" (a press conference for one) is significant, because it shows that a certain type of ugly, abusive, MAGA trolling ethic is now fully installed inside the White House.

#23 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-01-29 04:57 PM | Reply

So I guess we have to go with BOTH!

They are trolls who don't have an ---- clue.

#24 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-01-29 04:58 PM | Reply

www.documentcloud.org

The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve.

Insanity. This is the legal equivalent of reaching into your diaper and throwing crap at the wall.

#25 | Posted by Alexandrite at 2025-01-29 04:59 PM | Reply

To implement these orders, each agency must complete a comprehensive analysis of all of their Federal financial assistance programs to identify programs, projects, and activities that may be implicated by any of the President's executive orders. In the interim, to the extent permissible under applicable law, Federal agencies must temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance, and other relevant agency activities that may be implicated by the executive orders, including, but not limited to, financial assistance for foreign aid, nongovernmental organizations, DEI, woke gender ideology, and the green new deal.

THIS IS EMBARRASSING.

#26 | Posted by Alexandrite at 2025-01-29 05:01 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

I was told, yesterday, that "the adults are now in the room" in the White House,

His first name started with BLUE.

#27 | Posted by Zed at 2025-01-29 05:02 PM | Reply

woke gender ideology,

Can I get some croutons with that word salad?

#28 | Posted by Alexandrite at 2025-01-29 05:02 PM | Reply

Can I get some croutons with that word salad?

#28 | POSTED BY ALEXANDRITE

How about some Caesar dressing?

It goes good with anything dictatorial.

#29 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-01-29 05:06 PM | Reply

The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve.

Insanity. This is the legal equivalent of reaching into your diaper and throwing crap at the wall.

#25 | Posted by Alexandrite

You see in all this insanity is a point. This stuff he claims is a waste of tax payer dollars was authorized by congress.

He is stripping Congress' spending power.

THAT is the primary motivation for this.

#30 | Posted by truthhurts at 2025-01-29 05:43 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

woke gender ideology

IOW treating people with simple, basic, human dignity.

You know EVIL (as Boaz sees it)

#31 | Posted by truthhurts at 2025-01-29 05:44 PM | Reply

Trump is absolutely trying to usurp congress' power.

He's just using orangutangs to write his legal opinions. It's a joke!

#32 | Posted by Alexandrite at 2025-01-29 05:44 PM | Reply

@#19 ... These people are either completely disingenuous and are just trolling the entire country (especially red states, for whatever reason) or they have no fnkcin' idea what the fnkc they are doing. ...

My guess is that Pres Trump is trying to test how far he can expand his power.

He said he would act as a dictator on day 1.

He did not say that he would stop acting as a dictator on day 2 nd afterwards.


#33 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-01-29 05:45 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 2

He did not say that he would stop acting as a dictator on day 2 nd afterwards.
#33 | Posted by LampLighter

Fair point.

#34 | Posted by rstybeach11 at 2025-01-29 05:46 PM | Reply

"Career and political appointees in the Executive Branch have a duty to align Federal spending and action with the will of the American people as expressed through Presidential priorities. Financial assistance should be dedicated to advancing Administration priorities, focusing taxpayer dollars to advance a stronger and safer America, eliminating the financial burden of inflation for citizens, unleashing American energy and manufacturing, ending "wokeness" and the weaponization of government, promoting efficiency in government, and Making America Healthy Again. The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve"

To put this in human speak.

------- is saying that despite what congress appropriated money for, since ------- was elected by a razor thin margin, he gets to dictate how the money is actually spent.

I told you so
I told you so
I told you so
I told you so

FFS where is congress on this blatant power grab!>

#35 | Posted by truthhurts at 2025-01-29 05:47 PM | Reply

"Additionally, agencies must, for each Federal financial assistance program: (i) assign responsibility and oversight to a senior political appointee to ensure Federal financial assistanceconforms to Administration priorities;..."

I even have a term we can use for these senior political appointees-Commissar.

This is truly insane.

#36 | Posted by truthhurts at 2025-01-29 05:51 PM | Reply

- woke gender ideology

Jesus, and his Dad, too, were too woke for the Jewish Priests and the Romans. And the Trumpers.

22 Bible Verses on Welcoming Immigrants

sojo.net

#37 | Posted by Corky at 2025-01-29 05:52 PM | Reply

"Trump is absolutely trying to usurp congress' power."

Yes, but Republicans don't care because they support Trump's policies but couldn't get them through Congress, so they'll let him do it by presidential EOs/fiat:

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
@AOC
Trump is holding all the nation's hospitals and vital services hostage to seize power from Congress and hand it over to billionaires.

We must state the truth: this is a constitutional crisis. It's a massive, illegal power grab that the House and Senate have a sworn duty to stop.

#38 | Posted by Gal_Tuesday at 2025-01-29 05:53 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 2

Study Rome.

The senate gave up their power and handed the reigns of the Roman Empire to Ceasar.

Republicans would gladly dissolve the legislative and judicial branches and cede all power to the executive branch.

They're weak.

Trump owns the Republican Party and Musk owns Trump.

#39 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-01-29 06:09 PM | Reply

@#35 ... ------- is saying ...

What do the Constitution and subsequent law say?

Please see #12 for a possible answer.

#40 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-01-29 08:27 PM | Reply

Dotard and MAGAts hate the cops. This order DEFUNDS THE POLICE! We buy our ballistic vests with the assistance of federal grant money. Some of that money also pays for officer positions, special units, child predator investigations, Violent Offender Task Forces, etc.

#41 | Posted by _Gunslinger_ at 2025-01-30 12:01 AM | Reply

@#41 ... Dotard and MAGAts hate the cops. ...

No.

My opinion is that they hate the police officers who uphold their sworn oaths to the Constitution (can you say, January 6, 2021? I knew you could.), and do not subjugate that oath with a fealty to Pres Trump.


#42 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-01-30 12:27 AM | Reply

THIS IS EMBARRASSING.

#26 | Posted by Alexandrite

It's just leveraging a manicured scapegoat/excuse to drop a bomb and cause chaos.

If reduced spending was their actual goal, the EO would say to review spending and make recommendations to OBM for what can be cut based on the preferred policy statements.

The blanket cutting of all government funding across the board is intentionally painful by being purposefully heavy handed.

#43 | Posted by jpw at 2025-01-30 09:36 AM | Reply

THAT is the primary motivation for this.

#30 | Posted by truthhurts

I suspect each of the EOs that are blatantly unconstitutional are intentionally so to force a SCOTUS review without waiting for the usual winding through the judiciary.

They're targeted strikes on constraints to executive power.

#44 | Posted by jpw at 2025-01-30 09:39 AM | Reply

Dotard and MAGAts hate the cops. This order DEFUNDS THE POLICE! We buy our ballistic vests with the assistance of federal grant money.

Some of that money also pays ...child predator investigations...

#41 | Posted by _Gunslinger_

Now you know why it got cut.

#45 | Posted by Sycophant at 2025-01-30 11:41 AM | Reply

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