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 ordered a temporary pause on federal grants, loans and financial assistance. What we know so far about the order.

The Trump White House on Tuesday defended a widespread pause on federal grants and loans in the face of confusion among nonprofit groups and outrage from Democrats over the order. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt fielded several questions at her first briefing about the pause,