USA Trump's spokeswoman defends spending freeze

A temporary and far-reaching spending freeze on federal aid ordered by US President Donald Trump has caused great uncertainty in the US. "This is not a blanket cancellation of federal aid and grant programs by the Trump administration," White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt clarified when asked at her first press conference.

A number of social security benefits such as health insurance for certain population groups (Medicare) and food stamps are excluded from the cuts. Leavitt emphasized: "If you receive individual support from the federal government, you will continue to receive it."

US media had previously reported on the spending freeze, which could also affect university programs, loans for small businesses or grants at local level.

When asked for which programs money would be withheld for the time being, the spokeswoman named diversity programs, "the green new scam" apparently with a view to environmental protection and aid for trans people, among others.

"This is a temporary (...) freeze to ensure that all funds flowing out of Washington are consistent with the president's agenda," Leavitt said. It is the responsibility of the US president and his administration to be "good stewards of taxpayers' money".

SDA