Trump Cancels $1B in Spending Using Rare Rescission Tool
Trump notified House Speaker Mike Johnson Friday of 11 rescissions totaling $810 million across seven federal departments and agencies. The announcement came five days before the fiscal year ends, leaving Congress no practical window to respond.
- $567 million targeted HHS social services for refugees and unaccompanied minors.
- $70 million cut from international fellowships and grants for foreign academics.
- $56 million eliminated from a HUD housing counseling program.
- $10 million withheld from the Minority Business Development Agency.
Why it matters: A pocket rescission takes effect when proposed so late in the fiscal year that Congress cannot complete its 45-day review. The GAO, an arm of Congress, says the maneuver is illegal; the administration argues it is legally permissible.
- Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, called the cuts "illegal actions" and "a usurpation of Congress's appropriations powers."
- The last comparable pocket rescission before Trump was in 1977 under President Jimmy Carter.
How 38 sources split on this story
Where they split: The core dispute is whether a pocket rescission of domestic spending is a legal presidential tool or an unconstitutional seizure of Congress's power of the purse.
Center coverage, 14 sources: The center leads with the legal conflict — a rare, contested tool, bipartisan Senate opposition, and an uncertain court battle ahead.
Newsweek6hWhat Supreme Court said about rare power Trump defies Congress with
Associated Press22hTrump administration uses rare authority to claw back nearly $1B in spending approved by Congress
Chicago Tribune22hTrump administration uses rare authority to claw back nearly $1B in spending approved by Congress
CNBC3hWhite House moves to block $810 million in funding through pocket rescissionKSAKSAT 12 San Antonio22hTrump administration uses rare authority to claw back nearly $1B in spending approved by CongressNewNews4Jax22hTrump administration uses rare authority to claw back nearly $1B in spending approved by CongressNOTNOTUS22hTrump Claws Back Nearly $1 Billion In Congressionally Appropriated Funding - The Washington Sun
PBS NewsHour5hTrump administration uses rare authority to claw back nearly $1B in spending approved by Congress
The Hill20hTrump rescinds nearly $1B in federal funding, bypassing congressional approvalWNCWFLA News Channel 82hTrump administration uses rare authority to claw back nearly $1B in spending approved by CongressLeft coverage, 9 sources: The left frames the rescission as the latest in a pattern of executive overreach that strips bipartisan-approved funding from vulnerable people while Congress stands by.
MSNBC21hTrump uses rare authority to claw back nearly $1 billion in spending approved by Congress
ABC News15hWhite House orders over $800M in funds rescinded; Collins calls it 'clear violation' of law
CNN4hTrump admin cancels funding for refugees, immigrant detainees and others
Los Angeles Times20hTrump claws back nearly $1 billion in funding approved by Congress
NBC News18hLawmakers slam Trump’s ‘unlawful’ move to cut $810 million in federal funds
Political Wire2hLawmakers Slam Trump’s Move to Cancel Funding
Politico22hTrump declares $1B canceled in ‘pocket rescission’ in another affront to Congress’ funding power
The Washington Post7hLawmakers slam Trump’s move to cancel $810M in funding approved by Congress
Time51mWhat Is a ‘Pocket Rescission’? Inside Trump’s Move to Cancel $810 Million in Federal FundingRight coverage, 15 sources: The right frames the cuts as a legitimate fiscal-hawk move eliminating wasteful, ideologically driven spending on programs serving people in the country illegally.
New York Post1dExclusive | Trump cancels nearly $1B in funding for illegal immigrants and race-focused programs in new 'pocket' rescission
The Epoch Times2dTrump Rescinds Nearly $1 Billion in Congress-Approved Funding
American Greatness11hTrump Cancels Nearly $1 Billion in Federal Spending Without Congress › American Greatness
Boston Herald22hTrump administration uses rare authority to claw back nearly $1B in spending approved by Congress
Fox News10hTrump revives rare budget maneuver to rescind $810M in congressionally approved funds
Just the News2dTrump informs Congress he will claw back another $1 billion through 'pocket rescissions'
Newsmax23hTrump Rescinds $810 Million in Funds Tied to Illegal Immigration, Race Programs
NTD19hTrump Administration Claws Back Nearly $1 Billion in Spending Approved by Congress
RedState11hTrump Axes $810 Million With Rare Pocket Rescission Congress Can't Stop
RSBNetwork11hPresident Trump to cancel $810 million in federal spending connected to illegal immigration
The Daily Caller2hTrump Invokes Rare Authority To Cancel Nearly $1,000,000,000 In Congressionally Approved SpendingTRSThe Right Scoop23hBREAKING: Trump just canceled nearly a billion dollars of congressional spending using rare toolWhat’s next: Legal challenges are expected; the administration's legal standing is untested on domestic spending.
- Last year's Supreme Court allowed a foreign-aid pocket rescission, citing presidential authority over foreign affairs — a rationale that may not extend to domestic programs.
- Will courts extend the Supreme Court's foreign-affairs rationale to cover domestic spending rescissions?
- Will any Senate Republicans join Collins in opposing the cuts or moving to restore funding?