Judge temporarily blocks Trump freeze on federal grants and loans

A federal judge has temporarily blocked a Trump administration freeze on federal grants and loans. The judge blocked the freeze just minutes before it was set to go into effect, pausing the administration’s directive until Monday. A memo from the White House budget office announcing the freeze sparked confusion and panic among organizations that receive federal funding, including Meals on Wheels and other non-profits. Administration officials said Social Security, Medicare, food stamps, student loans, and scholarships would not be affected.