The Donald Trump administration announced on Friday that it is seeking to cancel nearly one billion dollars in federal funding and will do so without congressional approval. This decision has faced widespread criticism from lawmakers of both parties.
Details of Trump's Action
In this action, referred to as "pocket rescission," Trump aims to cancel $810 million from the congressionally approved spending for programs and entities primarily related to services for immigrants, minorities, and children. More than half of these cuts pertain to the Office of Refugee Resettlement at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In his request to Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House, Trump stated that the cancellation of this funding "aligns with the goal of ending the use of federal tax dollars to support non-citizens and prioritizing Americans."
Read more: Poll shows that nearly half of young voters have a negative view of capitalism
Legal Criticism and Its Implications
The Government Accountability Office (GAO), a nonpartisan oversight entity, considers this action a serious violation of the separation of powers and states that this decision is legally unauthorized. Pocket rescission means that the President can cancel allocated funds without direct congressional intervention. This process is similar to a "pocket veto," where a bill does not become law due to the President's failure to sign it within 10 days.
The timing of this action is also critically important. Budget cancellations typically need to occur near the end of the fiscal year to allow funds to expire before they have a chance to be used. Trump's request to cancel $810 million was submitted just five days before the end of the fiscal year on September 30, leaving virtually no time for Congress to review this proposal.
Trump's request to cancel this funding comes as he has previously used this strategy to thwart spending efforts. On August 28, 2025, he made a similar request to cancel $4.9 billion in foreign aid approved by Congress. Ultimately, the Supreme Court made decisions on this matter last year that may lead to new legal challenges regarding the use of this tactic.
The largest portion of these cuts relates to HHS programs that provide nonprofit services for refugees and unaccompanied children. Trump's request also includes the cancellation of funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which pertains to mental health and social services for immigrants. Other cuts include nearly $25 million earmarked for special programs by the Department of Education for immigrant students.
Read more: Roger Williams calls for regulatory reform · Newsmax CEO urges Trump to reconsider the ban on journalists
