White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that Social Security, Medicare and food stamps would not be affected by the decision to freeze federal aid. NBC News’ Sahil Kapur reports on the Trump administration’s first White House press briefing and whether Medicaid could be among the programs affected.

The White House is claiming the Wednesday move by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) rescinding a controversial order that froze a wide swath of federal financial assistance is

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the pause on federal financial assistance will not include food stamps, Social Security, or Medicare and welfare benefits.

The Trump administration has put a hold on all federal financial grants and loans, affecting tens of billions of dollars in payments.

In a two-sentence memo released Wednesday, the White House has rescinded their drive to pause all federal funding and grants. “OMB Memorandum M-25-13 is rescinded. If you have any questions about implementing the President’s Executive Orders,

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt vehemently defended the administration’s sweeping freeze on federal aid, arguing Tuesday in her first press briefing that it was critical to scrutinize the scope of the government’s spending.

The White House on Wednesday issued a memo to federal employees scrapping its original memorandum, according to a document viewed by The Wall Street Journal. Matthew J. Vaeth, the