The Trump administration announced Friday it is canceling nearly $1 billion in federal spending that had already been approved by Congress, using a legal mechanism known as a pocket rescission, according to multiple outlets. Reuters and the Washington Examiner put the figure at $800 million to $810 million, while other outlets described it as nearly $1 billion.
According to The Hill and the Washington Examiner, most of the canceled funds targeted Health and Human Services programs serving undocumented immigrants and unaccompanied children in court proceedings, as well as related initiatives under the agency's Minority Health office. The White House's Office of Management and Budget described the cuts as targeting "the most harmful government spending," according to The Guardian.
The pocket rescission process allows the executive branch to cancel funding by withholding it until the fiscal year ends, effectively bypassing a formal congressional vote, according to The Hill and CBS News. The Washington Examiner reported this marks the second pocket rescission of its kind in 50 years, with both issued during Trump's second term.
CBS News and Newsweek reported that some lawmakers called the move illegal, and Politico described it as the latest in a series of challenges Trump has posed to Congress's spending authority.
How each side covered it
Left
- Outlets emphasized that the funding had bipartisan congressional approval before Trump's cancellation.
- The Guardian and others highlighted that the cuts targeted immigrant services and diversity-focused initiatives.
- CBS News noted that some lawmakers called the move illegal.
- Coverage framed the action as a rare and contested use of executive power against Congress's spending authority.
“President using rare power to revoke expenditure with bipartisan approval to aid immigrant services” — The Guardian
Center
- Reuters and The Hill specified the amount as roughly $800 million to $1 billion withheld or rescinded.
- The Hill and STAT detailed that most cuts targeted HHS programs serving undocumented immigrants, refugees, and unaccompanied minors.
- Newsweek reported lawmakers criticizing the move as an illegal 'pocket rescission.'
- Outlets described the process as bypassing normal congressional approval through the pocket rescission mechanism.
“Trump rescinds nearly $1B in federal funding, bypassing congressional approval” — The Hill
Right
- Washington Examiner noted this was the second pocket rescission of its kind in 50 years, both under Trump.
- Right-leaning outlets emphasized the cuts targeted DEI, race-focused, and illegal immigration-related programs.
- Newsmax and New York Post framed the $810 million rescission as targeting programs tied to illegal immigration and race-based initiatives.
- Just the News reported Trump formally informing Congress of the additional pocket rescission.
“Trump cancels nearly $1B in funding for illegal immigrants and race-focused programs in new ‘pocket’ rescission” — New York Post
Questions readers ask
What did Trump do regarding federal funding on Friday?
President Donald Trump's administration canceled nearly $1 billion in federal spending that Congress had already approved, using a mechanism called a pocket rescission that allows the executive branch to withhold funds without a formal congressional vote.
What programs were affected by the funding cancellation?
According to The Hill and the Washington Examiner, most cuts hit Health and Human Services programs serving undocumented immigrants and unaccompanied children in court, along with initiatives under the agency's Minority Health office and other diversity-focused programs.
Is a pocket rescission legal?
Its legality is contested. CBS News and Newsweek reported that some lawmakers called the move illegal, while the Trump administration used the mechanism as a way to bypass congressional approval, according to The Hill.
How much money was actually canceled?
Sources disagree on the exact figure. Most outlets, including the Los Angeles Times and Associated Press, reported nearly $1 billion, while Reuters and the Washington Examiner specified $800 million to $810 million.
How did coverage differ across the political spectrum?
Left-leaning outlets emphasized the rarity and contested nature of the power used and its impact on immigrant services, center outlets focused on the legal mechanism and lawmaker pushback, and right-leaning outlets highlighted the targeting of diversity and noncitizen-related programs.
Sources · 16 outlet reports
- Associated PressLeft-leaningTrump administration uses rare authority to claw back nearly $1B in spending approved by Congress
- CBS NewsLeft-leaningTrump cancels nearly $1 billion in spending, a move some lawmakers called illegal
- HuffPostLeft-leaningTrump Administration Uses Rare Authority To Claw Back Nearly $1B In Spending Approved By Congress
- Los Angeles TimesLeft-leaningTrump uses rare authority to claw back nearly $1 billion in Congress-approved funding
- PoliticoLeft-leaningTrump cancels $1B in federal spending in latest challenge to Congress
- The GuardianLeft-leaningTrump cancels nearly $1bn in funding approved by Congress
- NewsweekCenterLawmakers rip Trump for "illegal" pocket rescission move—What we know
- ReutersCenterTrump seeks to withhold $800 million in Congress-approved funds
- STATCenterTrump administration uses rare authority to claw back nearly $1B in spending approved by Congress
- The HillCenterTrump rescinds nearly $1B in federal funding, bypassing congressional approval
- The Straits TimesCenterDonald Trump seeks to withhold $1 billion in Congress-approved funds
- Independent Journal ReviewRight-leaningTrump moves to cancel nearly $1 billion via pocket rescission
- Just the NewsRight-leaningTrump informs Congress he will claw back another $1 billion through 'pocket rescissions'
- New York PostRight-leaningTrump cancels nearly $1B in funding for illegal immigrants and race-focused programs in new ‘pocket’ rescission
- NewsmaxRight-leaningTrump Rescinds $810 Million in Funds Tied to Illegal Immigration, Race Programs
- Washington ExaminerRight-leaningTrump takes aim at DEI and noncitizen programs in $1 billion pocket rescission