From PBS NewsHour.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Tuesday denounced President Donald Trump’s order to pause all federal grants and loans, calling it "destructive" and "lawless."

"There’s a dagger at the heart of the average American family in red states and blue states," the New York Democrat said at a news conference.

The Office of Management and Budget sent out a two-page memo on Monday night directing federal agencies to "temporarily pause all activities related to obligations or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance.”

The move, which could affect trillions of dollars, has created confusion across Washington and among organizations that rely on federal funding. Some Democratic attorneys general announced Tuesday afternoon that they were taking legal action.

Trump administration officials said the order was needed as they work to ensure all funding programs are consistent with the president’s agenda.

In her first ever White House news briefing, Trump press secretary Karoline Leavitt said individuals who receive assistance directly from programs like Social Security would not be affected.

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