The full extent of the order was not immediately clear, but the directive sent to government agencies on Monday threatened to paralyze a vast swath of federal programs.

The Trump administration has temporarily paused grant, loan and other financial assistance programs at the Office of Management and Budget, prompting criticism from congressional Democrats.

The White House budget office has ordered a pause on all federal grants and loans, according to an internal memorandum sent Monday.

The full impact of the pause is not yet clear, although the memo specifies that Medicaid and Social Security benefits are not affected.

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

Agencies are starting to take action against DEI-tasked employees and pass lists of those workers on to OPM and the White House.

The Office of Management and Budget instructed federal agencies to pause any financial aid programs that might conflict with President Donald Trump's executive orders.