Confusion over the across-the-board funding pause has rippled across the country — and Lexington is no different.
Mayor Gordon said "nobody really knows" the details yet, and the city has people in Washington, D.C. trying to figure out exactly what the order means.
"Because quite honestly, every city depends on grants to accomplish a lot of the things we accomplish. No city can do it all by themselves. So we're just waiting to find out more information," she told WUKY.
Not one to speculate, Gorton said the move is causing apprehension as communities await more clarification.
"Of course, I'm concerned because a lot of our good work has depended on matching a grant from the federal government," she says.
The administration argues the pause is necessary to ensure that all funding aligns with Trump's executive orders, which are intended to undo progressive steps on transgender rights, environmental justice, and diversity, equity, and inclusion, or DEI, efforts.
Federal assistance to individuals including Social Security, Medicare, food stamps, student loans, and scholarships is not affected, according to the White House.
Yet the Associated Press reports the move could affect the flow of trillions of dollars, at least temporarily, and cause "widespread disruption in health care research, education programs, and other initiatives."
