Grants freeze hits red states, exposing Trump’s betrayal

The White House’s decision to pause federal grants and loans has sent shockwaves across Washington, D.C., and beyond, exposing vulnerabilities in Republican-leaning states that heavily depend on federal funding. In a memo issued Monday, acting Office of Management and Budget director Matthew J. Vaeth instructed federal agencies to halt all activities related to federal financial assistance, leaving questions about the legality and long-term impact of the directive.   Federal funding plays a significant role in Washington, D.C., where $6.3 billion was allocated in fiscal year 2021 to support Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), public schools, and infrastructure. These funds accounted for 32.2% of the district’s revenue. The freeze now threatens programs critical to D.C. residents, especially the city’s most vulnerable populations.However, the impact of this freeze could hit Republican states hardest. According to data from MoneyGeek, seven of the 10 states most dependent on federal funding are Republican-leaning, with these states receiving an average of $1.24 for every dollar contributed. In contrast, Democratic-leaning blue states received $1.14 per dollar paid in federal taxes. New Mexico, a state that leans blue, saw the highest return on federal spending at $3.42 per dollar contributed, while Delaware, another blue state, had the...