When the Clock Strikes 5
How Trump’s Federal Funding Freeze Could Impact Children
Trump knows nothing about governing. His growing list of executive orders prove that. Today, at 5 PM, one of Trump’s most callous moves to date goes into effect. He has ordered a pause on all federal grants and loans excluding Medicare and Social Security benefits. This is a gross overstep of his executive power, blatantly disregarding Congress’s constitutional authority over federal funding. While the full impacts of Trump’s “guidance to federal agencies” are unclear, this will have far-reaching consequences, particularly on our most vulnerable citizens. It is cruel. It is callous. It is barbaric. It is inhumane. And it is almost certainly intentionally malicious. All of this while the richest man on Earth bought the Presidency for Trump. All of this while the wealthiest people don’t pay their fair share of taxes. All of this while the richest are set to have their tax burden decreased under the Trump Administration. This is a direct threat to programs that millions of families rely on, with devastating consequences for our youth.
Education is at risk. Head Start, a critical preschool program for low-income families, may see delays in receiving funds. The online system that distributes money to this program is already warning users logging on to file for their next distributions that they will see delays because of "potentially unallowable grant payments”. Stripping children of access to critical early learning opportunities is not a place where the United States should aim to save a dime. Never should it be at the expense of future generations. Never should it be at the expense of our most vulnerable.
School lunch funding and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) are at risk. This should alarm every parent, every person with any bit of compassion. Children across this country rely on school meals as a daily source of nutrition. For some children, it may be the only warm meal they eat. Cuts to SNAP benefits may cause some families to make impossible choices between food and other basic necessities. Children going hungry (in the wealthiest country on Earth) has far-reaching consequences that will impact physical health, mental health, and cognitive development.
Healthcare is at risk. This move will pause funding to childhood cancer research. Medicaid, the largest insurer of children in this country, which millions of families and children rely on for healthcare is not exempt, at least so far, from this order. Reliance on Medicaid doesn't discriminate against political party.
Mental health programs are at risk. Suicide prevention hotlines are often funded by federal grants. For children and teenagers grappling with depression and anxiety, these services are literal lifelines. The loss of such resources could lead to an increase in preventable tragedies, as children are left without the support they need during their time of need. Yeah, that definitely sounds pretty pro-life to me. (Insert eye roll here).
Disaster relief aid is at risk. Natural disasters do not discriminate. The impacts of climate change know no color or gender or socio-economic status or sexuality. And children are often among the most severely impacted by natural disasters caused by climate change. Federal disaster aid provides the necessary resources that communities rely on to rebuild. Halting these funds leaves communities crippled when responding to crises.
The short and long-term impacts of Trump’s latest actions are still unclear, but one thing is certain: children will feel the effects most severely. This move undermines the economic stability of future generations, and it’s a stark reminder that elections have consequences. But unlike Trump’s rhetoric, the consequences here aren’t just political, they are personal and disproportionately affect those with no voice or power to advocate for themselves. It is nothing more than a brazen attempt to seize power and control.
As a country, the wealthiest country on Earth at that, we have a moral obligation to protect and nurture children, whether we have our own children or not is irrelevant. Policies aimed at stripping away critical support systems impact the very fabric of our nation. It is incumbent upon us all to address this crisis by speaking up and electing leaders who will provide the resources our children deserve.
Heartless cruelty