With a single stroke, the Trump White House sent the left and their attendant media into a tailspin, scrambling to find a way to spin the twin daggers aimed directly at the heart of the Government-Industrial Complex: The OMB federal funding freeze and the proposed buyouts to over 2 million federal workers.
Most emblematic of that coverage: David Muir’s overwrought introduction to Mary Bruce’s reporting on ABC World News Tonight. As always, Muir serves a lengthy brief that negates the need for further reporting on any given matter:
DAVID MUIR: We begin tonight with the breaking headline. Sources telling ABC News President Trump is now expected to offer buyouts to nearly all federal workers. More than 2 million Americans. So how would this work, and what's driving this? And it all comes as The White House aimed to put a freeze on billions of dollars of federal aid effective at 5:00 today but then, with minutes to spare, a federal judge temporarily blocking the move. That freeze could impact millions of Americans, from seniors to school children. Questions whether this could affect Head Start, school lunches, Meals on Wheels for seniors. We have it all covered tonight, beginning with the plan to offer buyouts to millions of those federal workers.
Part of the misdirection is to show sympathetic victims of the funding cuts, in hopes that this will evoke opposition to the cuts. Hence the mentions of Meals on Wheels and Head Start. Because who doesn’t love toddlers and seniors? But the funding cut is really about the grants to lefty organizations, as NBC’s Lester Holt indicated in his open.
LESTER HOLT: The two-page memo from the Office of Management and Budget specifically calls out foreign aid and programs that tend to be favored on the political left.
CBS’s Nancy Cordes identifies one of those such groups: LULAC, which endorsed Kamala Harris in 2024:
NANCY CORDES: Take LULAC, for example, it’s the nation's largest Latino civil rights organization. They told us they believe one of their largest education programs is on the list to be frozen, if that is true, they say they will not be able to make payroll for about 125 employees.
Univision’s Pedro Rojas got a reaction from the head of another such Democrat-adjacent group: Hispanic Federation.
PEDRO ROJAS: Frankie Miranda, president of the Hispanic Federation, says that the measure leaves many unknowns.
FRANKIE MIRANDA: We are trying to get more information about the federal agencies that handle many of these funds, and yet what exists is uncertainty and confusion.
Making the story about victims obfuscates and diverts from what is about to happen on the budget front- a big court fight over the constitutionality of the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which forces the Executive Branch to spend monies allocated by Congress to the different agencies. If this law is found to be unconstitutional due to its infringement on the President's Article II powers, then President Donald Trump is free to gut the Deep State like a fish.
Telemundo’s report was the only one to hint at a looming court fight:
JOSEPH MALOUF: The check is cut and all that is needed is to deliver it. Intercepting the check is not authorized under the Constitution.
LETITIA JAMES: He exceeded his authority.
CRISTINA LONDOÑO: And Trump exceeded his authority, said New York Attorney General Letitia James, one of at least five Democratic state prosecutors who promised to fight the measure in court, as well as non-profit organizations that claim that among the temporarily frozen funds is included research into cures for cancer in children, protection of victims of domestic abuse, suicide prevention lines, among others.
Telemundo’s contributing attorney calls these impoundments “intercepting the check” Congress has already cut, which will be at the heart of the court case in front of the federal judge of indeterminate appointment. And by “indeterminate” I mean she’s a Biden appointee. But that gets muted. Unlike, say, Judge Aileen Cannon, who got hit with a “Trump-appointed” tag any time she was mentioned.
The media were caught flat-footed by the spending freeze and federal employee buyout, and it shows.
Click “expand” to view the full transcripts of the aforementioned reports as aired on their respective newscasts on Tuesday, January 28th, 2025:
ABC WORLD NEWS TONIGHT
1/28//25
6:32 PM
DAVID MUIR: We begin tonight with the breaking headline. Sources telling ABC News President Trump is now expected to offer buyouts to nearly all federal workers. More than 2 million Americans. So how would this work, and what's driving this? And it all comes as The White House aimed to put a freeze on billions of dollars of federal aid effective at 5:00 today but then, with minutes to spare, a federal judge temporarily blocking the move. That freeze could impact millions of Americans, from seniors to school children. Questions whether this could affect Head Start, school lunches, Meals on Wheels for seniors. We have it all covered tonight, beginning with the plan to offer buyouts to millions of those federal workers. Here's our Chief White House Correspondent Mary Bruce.
MARY BRUCE: Tonight, President Donald Trump continuing his overhaul of the federal government. ABC News learning the administration is offering all well over 2 million federal employees a buyout to resign as long as they do it by February 6th, just nine days from now. In an email blasted to federal employees tonight, those interested in taking the buyout told to reply with one word. Resign. The White House tonight saying “American taxpayers pay for the salaries of federal government employees, and therefore deserve employees working on their behalf who actually show up to work in our wonderful federal buildings, also paid for by taxpayers.” The White House saying they would be paid out until September. All of this coming as Trump tries to root out federal spending that doesn't align with his priorities. Tonight, just minutes before The White House put in place a sweeping freeze on potentially billions of dollars in federal grants and loans, possibly impacting millions of Americans, seniors and children across the country, a federal judge temporarily blocking it. Saying, “it seems like the federal government currently doesn't actually know the full scope of the programs that are going to be subject to the pause.” The White House today sparking major questions after it announced plans to pause and review funding for federal assistance programs, for everything from free school breakfasts and lunches, Head Start for hundreds of thousands of children, and Meals on Wheels for millions of seniors.
KAROLINE LEAVITT: Good afternoon, everybody.
BRUCE: The new White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt in her first briefing defending the move, saying it's needed to make sure these programs don't run counter to President Trump's agenda.
LEAVITT: What does this pause mean? It means no more funding for illegal DEI programs. It means no more funding for the Green New Scam that has cost American taxpayers tens of billions of dollars. It means no more funding for transgenderism and wokeness across our federal bureaucracy and agencies.
BRUCE: The broad directive immediately prompting confusion, even at much bigger programs like Medicaid, which provides health insurance for 72 million low income Americans. States reporting the online portals down. Medicaid warning of possible payment delays due to executive orders regarding potentially unallowable grant payments. The White House says they expect the portal will be back online shortly, and payments are still being processed and sent. Tonight, the administration is adamant programs that provide direct benefits to Americans, like Medicaid, Social Security, Medicare, and federal food assistance programs will not be impacted.
BRUCE: What is the president's message to Americans out there, many of whom supported him and voted for him who are concerned that this is going to impact them directly?
LEAVITT: Again, direct assistance will not be impacted.
BRUCE: What do you mean direct assistance, Karoline, if it's going to another organization and trickling down?
LEAVITT: Direct assistance that is in the hands of the American people will not be impacted.
BRUCE: Meals on Wheels telling ABC News “the lack of clarity and uncertainty unfortunately means seniors will panic, not knowing where their next meal will come from.”
Tonight, lawmakers in both parties are accusing the president of overstepping his power, blocking funding that was already allocated by Congress. And on this breaking news of these buyouts, the union that represents federal workers is now blasting the move, saying, quote, “purging the federal government of dedicated career federal employees will have vast, unintended consequences that will cause chaos for the Americans who depend on a functioning federal government.” David?
MUIR: All right. Mary Bruce, leading us off tonight. Mary, thank you.
CBS EVENING NEWS
1/28/25
6:35 PM
MAURICE DUBOIS: And President Trump wants to freeze many federal grants and loans to make sure they comply with his agenda. It is not clear yet exactly what that might affect. And late today, a federal judge blocked the freeze.
JOHN DICKERSON: It was ordered in a late-night memo from the Office of Management and Budget, and Nancy Cordes is at The White House. Nancy, this is confusing. So can we go first to who would not be affected by this order if it were in effect?
NANCY CORDES: We are still trying to figure that out, John. The judge said today she is imposing this stay until at least Monday so she has more time to determine whether organizations will be harmed by the funding freeze. Right now no one seems to know how much funding is being paused, how many groups that affects, and for how long. But The White House did release a memo today to say that many vital programs will not be affected, like Social Security, Medicare, food stamps, Head Start, farm assistance, and rental assistance. As for the organizations that will be affected, well, all The White House has said so far is that this pause will apply to any programs that conflict with the president's new executive orders on topics like immigration, foreign aid, and DEI, or Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
DUBOIS: So Nancy, of those who think they might be affected, how are they reacting tonight?
CORDES: Well, Democrats argued these funds were already approved by Congress and that the Trump Administration doesn't have the authority to do this. Of the groups that might be affected, the way that they are reacting, well, in the absence of much information, thousands of organizations that rely on federal funds were making panicked calls to Congress today to try to figure out if they are on the list. Take LULAC, for example, it’s the nation's largest Latino civil rights organization. They told us they believe one of their largest education programs is on the list to be frozen, if that is true, they say they will not be able to make payroll for about 125 employees. So even a brief pause could have a significant effect.
DICKERSON: Nancy Cordes for us at The White House. Thank you, Nancy.
NBC NIGHTLY NEWS
1/28/25
6:32 PM
LESTER HOLT: Good evening and welcome. The speed of President Trump's rush to remake the federal government may have left some in its wake today and caused a federal judge to step in, temporarily halting an abrupt Trump order to pause spending on federal grants and loans. The order outlined in an early morning memo left many organizations that depend on federal funds, from nonprofits to state programs, confused and scrambling for some clarity. The White House stressing the spending pause would not apply to funds that are directly paid to individuals. The two-page memo from the Office of Management and Budget specifically calls out foreign aid and programs that tend to be favored on the political left. The court today pausing the White House plan for a week. Now tonight a sweeping new shake up to report, hitting the email boxes of every federal worker. It is where we begin with Garrett Haake.
GARRETT HAAKE: Tonight as part of his promise to reduce government spending, President Trump is making more than 2 million federal workers an offer. Quit now and accept a severance package. NBC News first reporting federal employees received the by email late this afternoon. The White House expects 5 to 10% of the federal workforce to accept it, which could lead to $100 billion in annual savings. But tonight, in a blow to the administration, a federal judge has temporarily blocked the president's attempt at another government shake up, after the Office of Management and Budget overnight ordered a temporary pause on grant, loan or federal financial assistance programs that might run counter to President Trump's executive orders.
KAROLINE LEAVITT: It means no more funding for illegal DEI programs. (VIDEO SWIPE) It means no more funding for transgenderism and wokeness across our federal bureaucracy and agencies. (VIDEO SWIPE) President Trump is looking out for you by issuing this pause, because he is being a good steward of your taxpayer dollars.
HAAKE: Democrats immediately assigned the president’s action.
CHUCK SCHUMER: Law enforcement, rural hospitals, aid to the elderly, food for people in need. (VIDEO SWIPE) The decision is lawless, dangerous, destructive, cruel.
HAAKE: While several state attorney generals sued to block the move.
LAETITIA JAMES: When Congress dedicates funding for a program, the president cannot pull that funding on a whim.
HAAKE: But Republicans defending the freeze.
JAMES COMER: Let's get a handle on ass this spending and figure out if it is going where it is supposed to go.
HAAKE: Tonight The White House saying individual federal assistance would not be paused or reviewed under its plan.
KAROLINE LEAVITT: Social security benefits, Medicaid benefits, food stamps, welfare benefits. Assistance that is going directly to individuals will not be impacted by this pause.
HAAKE: But all of it sparked confusion about who would be impacted. The White House says Head Start, the early childhood education program for low income families, would not be affected. But Connecticut Democratic Senator Chris Murphy posting, quote, Head Start reimbursement system is shut down in his state.
What was your reaction when you heard about this order overnight?
TALETHIA EDWARDS: Yeah, it was a shock.
HAAKE: While in Florida, Talethia Edwards’ four-year-old son Raymond is one of the more than 800,000 children served by the program. She told me the uncertainty is nerve-racking.
EDWARDS: You look for the options but there are not many options when you think of affordability in child care.
HOLT: And Garrett, that judge temporarily blocking the pause on federal assistance until a hearing next week. Meantime, President Trump has issued a new executive order impacting transgender children and teens. What can you tell us about that?
HAAKE: That’s right, Lester. This order says the U.S. will not fund, promote, or assist in any way with transition surgeries for anyone under age 19, including directing government healthcare providers to exclude coverage for transgender coverage or hormone treatments, all of it likely to spark a legal challenge. Lester.
HOLT: Garrett Haake. Thank you.
NOTICIAS TELEMUNDO
1/28/25
6:32 PM
JULIO VAQUEIRO: Good afternoon, this has been a day of confusion. Last night the president announced an executive order requiring the freezing of financial aid to numerous government programs. What were those programs? How did this directly affect our lives? The question was in the air. The government did not clarify the scope of the measure. But this afternoon, before it took effect, a judge put the president's order on hold. Cristina Londoño prepared the chronicle of confusion.
CRISTINA LONDOÑO: Chaos and confusion took over Washington and sowed nervousness in communities. Upon learning of this memo from the Budget Office, temporarily freezing federal aid, this mother of four froze.
FLOR BARUCA: How many families identify with me that their children are safe at school, that they will have their food there? Imagine taking that away from them. It would have been awful.
LONDOÑO: The issue stole the show at the debut of the new White House spokesperson. Karoline Leavitt came out to calm millions.
KAROLINE LEAVITT: Social Security benefits. Medicare. Benefits. Food stamps. Welfare benefits assistance that is going directly to individuals will not be impacted by this pause.
LONDOÑO: However, she reiterated that this is a directive to government departments to examine the programs they subsidize, stressing that they seek to cut what they call Marxist equity programs, transgenderism, and the social engineering of the Green New Deal, which they consider is a waste of taxpayers' money. So far it is not known specifically what these programs are.
CHUCK SCHUMER: It’s a dagger at the heart of the average American family.
LONDOÑO: It is a dagger to the hearts of families, said Democrat Charles Schumer, insisting that it is an unconstitutional measure because Congress is who approves the funds.
JOSEPH MALOUF: The check is cut and all that is needed is to deliver it. Intercepting the check is not authorized under the Constitution.
LETITIA JAMES: He exceeded his authority.
LONDOÑO: And Trump exceeded his authority, said New York Attorney General Letitia James, one of at least five Democratic state prosecutors who promised to fight the measure in court, as well as non-profit organizations that claim that among the temporarily frozen funds is included research into cures for cancer in children, protection of victims of domestic abuse, suicide prevention lines, among others. Although the Trump administration has not confirmed the suspension of these funds, it insists that the government must align itself with the will that the People expressed at the polls. The federal judge in Washington who stopped the pause in federal funds summoned the government and the plaintiffs next Monday to present their arguments.
VAQUEIRO: Cristina, in breaking news, President Trump's administration is offering a severance package to 2 million federal workers.
LONDON That's right, Julio. What he is trying to do is reduce the size of the federal government at all costs. He promised that. The objective is to encourage workers to resign with a package that includes approximately eight months of salary and benefits. A senior government official told NBC that they expect between five and 10% of the federal workforce to accept the offer, which could generate savings of around $100 billion, Julio.
VAQUEIRO: Good, Cristina. Well, there are two pieces of news that are shaking Washington today. Thank you so much.
UNIVISION NEWS
1/28/25
6:31 PM
ILIA CALDERÓN: How are you, good evening. Today The White House suspended all aid and loans disbursed by the federal government. We're talking billions of dollars allocated to programs like school lunch that benefit vulnerable communities, public health initiatives like childhood cancer research, municipal works, and funds for charities. However, a federal judge has just blocked part of this controversial measure. Pedro Rojas has the latest.
PEDRO ROJAS: In the federal court in Washington DC, and at the request of four non-profit organizations, a judge Loren AliKhan blocked until Monday the entry into force of the temporary freeze of billions of dollars in federal resources ordered by President Donald Trump to government agencies to ensure that funds are used according to his policies.
Frankie Miranda, president of the Hispanic Federation, says that the measure leaves many unknowns.
FRANKIE MIRANDA: We are trying to get more information about the federal agencies that handle many of these funds, and yet what exists is uncertainty and confusion.
ROJAS: In the middle of a busy press conference, the new White House spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, defended Trump's plan. [Speaks in English] "This is not a complete pause," the spokesperson said, adding that the measure lasts until February 10 and requires each agency to explain how the budget is used. A memo states that “the use of federal funds to promote Marxist equity, transgenderism, and Green New Deal social policy is a waste of taxpayer money that does not improve the daily lives of those we serve.” Democrats in Congress oppose it. "It's hard to describe how destructive this decision is for the country," said Senator Chuck Schumer. Republicans are open to assessment. “The government spends a lot of money and what we want is for it to go to appropriate places,” said this congressman from Utah (Blake Miller). Trump signed five executive orders impacting the military. He reinstates soldiers discharged for not getting vaccinated, prohibits transgender personnel, eliminates diversity and inclusion programs, orders the construction of anti-missile defense domes and sobserves the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp, in Poland.
The White House insists that the temporary freeze of resources for now does not affect social benefit programs for Americans. In Washington, Pedro Rojas, Univision.
CALDERÓN: And in an attempt to reduce the size of government, President Trump today offered all federal workers a severance package if they resign by February 6. This package would include seven months' salary plus benefits. 5-10% of the federal workforce is expected to take up this offer.
