Wednesday morning, both Sen. Charles Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand held separate virtual press conferences, criticizing Trump for attempting to pause federal funding while his administration conducts an across-the-board ideological review to uproot progressive initiatives.

“Not only does this blatantly disregard Congress’ power of the purse, it threatens American families, businesses, public safety, our economy, and our national security,” Gillibrand said.

Gillibrand said she was “deeply alarmed” and called on the Trump administration to reverse course immediately. “Americans deserve to know that their hard earned tax dollars are flowing back into their communities, helping to repair critical infrastructure, supporting their local economies, and keeping them and their loved ones safe and healthy,” she said.

Schumer had similar comments. “Funds for local law enforcement and our firefighters, our schools, for Meals on Wheels, for cancer research, for support for our veterans, for making housing more affordable, small business support – all were put on the chopping block,” he said.

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One en route from Miami to Joint Base Andrews, Md., Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Initially on Tuesday, the White House said it was pausing federal grants and loans as Trump’s administration begins an across-the-board ideological review.

Afterward, U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan blocked the funding freeze Tuesday only minutes before it was scheduled to take effect.

Then Wednesday afternoon, a memorandum was issued by the Trump administration, from Matthew J. Vaeth, Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget, saying the President’s executive order had been rescinded.

Both Gillibrand and Schumer called the original freeze illegal.

“When Congress says that money goes to a program to help flood prevention on Long Island, or provide school lunches to our children in Upstate New York, the president can’t unilaterally decide to just take it away. That is unconstitutional. That is against the law,” Schumer said.

Gillibrand agreed. “They literally do not have the authority to do this. This is against the Constitution,” she said.

After the executive order was rescinded, Schumer told the Associated Press, “We believe they’ll come back and try to do this in other ways,” without elaborating on other measures the administration may take.

U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy of District 23 during a stop in Chautauqua County on Tuesday noted his support for the freeze on the funds. “Federal money is not disbursed on a daily basis, so I don’t think most people will experience any effects but they want to make sure the funding is in line with the president’s executive orders,” he said. “I think this is a due-diligence review of the federal grants programs and what’s actually going out the door and if there is anything that is out of line with the administration’s priorities.”

John D’Agostino contributed to this report.