- President Trump cancelled almost $1 billion in federal funding Friday using the controversial pocket rescission process, which allows him to sidestep congressional approval.
- Trump ordered the cancellation of $810 million in federal funds, targeting HHS programs for undocumented immigrants and race-focused initiatives.
- The White House justified the cuts by citing decreased border crossings and described the targeted programs as 'wasteful and harmful.'
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu likened the film 'NAZA' to launching 'dozens of ballistic missiles' at Israel.
- Trump's pocket rescission allows for the cancellation of congressionally mandated spending that occurs so late in the federal fiscal year that it takes effect regardless of legislative pushback.
- The Impoundment Control Act governs the rescissions process, allowing the administration to temporarily withhold funding for 45 days while Congress considers the rescissions request.
- Trump last used rescission powers in 2025 to cut roughly $5 billion in congressionally approved funding.
President Trump has canceled nearly $1 billion in federal funding using a controversial 'pocket' rescission, a process that allows him to bypass Congress. This action primarily targets programs aiding undocumented immigrants and aligns with his administration's anti-DEI agenda.
The rescission affects 11 pools of unspent money across seven federal departments, including Health and Human Services and Education. The largest cut, totaling $567 million, was aimed at social services for illegal immigrants, justified by the administration's claim of a significant decrease in border crossings.
Trump's notice to House Speaker Mike Johnson stated, “In accordance with… the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974, I herewith report 11 rescissions of budget authority, totaling $810 million.” The administration described the targeted programs as “wasteful and harmful.”7
In a separate context, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the film 'NAZA,' produced by Yuval Avraham and Rachel Szor, likening it to launching “dozens of ballistic missiles” at Israel. He reiterated plans to advance legislation that would allow for the revocation of citizenship for the filmmakers, emphasizing the film's perceived threat to national security.5
The use of pocket rescissions is controversial and may lead to legal challenges, as it circumvents traditional legislative processes.16
“The rescission eliminates 11 pools of unspent money across seven departments, with the largest $567 million pot targeting HHS social services for illegal immigrants. The move, the second pocket rescission in 49 years, could spark legal challenges as OMB Director Russ Vought cites precedents from the 1970s.”
The Guardian
