A majority of voters from each of Oklahoma’s 77 counties selected Trump for president, but as his administration plans to put a freeze on federal aid at 5 p.m. Tuesday, one of his most supportive states could lose billions in necessary grant revenue.
On Monday, the acting director for the White House Office of Management and Budget sent out a memo informing federal agencies of a temporary pause on federal grants, loans and other financial assistance programs.
While the memo claims federal funds will not impact social security, medicare or “assistance provided directly to individuals,” the loss of federal funds will have a sizable impact on state governments, non-governmental organizations, and international aid organizations that rely on U.S. funding. An updated memo stated the freeze won’t apply to SNAP benefits, student loans or other forms of direct benefits.
“The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve,” acting director Matthew Vaeth wrote.
On Tuesday afternoon, a federal judge temporarily blocked the freeze from taking effect until Monday, Feb. 3. U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan made the ruling just minutes before the freeze was set to take effect, the Associated Press reported.
“It seems like the federal government currently doesn’t actually know the full extent of the programs that are going to be subject to the pause,” Judge AliKhan said.
Oklahoma Democratic Party responds
In an effort to comply with Trump’s political executive orders against DEI and “wokeness”, the office is depriving billions in funding to some of the same states that gave Trump’s presidency the most support.
In total, federal grants made up 36.4% or $1.11 trillion of combined revenue for the 50 U.S. states in fiscal year 2022, according to a report from Pew Charitable Trusts.
For Oklahoma, the share of federal grants funding the state government is even higher.
“This is what happens when dangerous rhetoric becomes action,” Alicia Andrews, Chair of the Oklahoma Democratic Party, told The Black Wall Street Times in a statement.
“For years, we’ve heard reckless political threats to cut off federal support, and now those threats have turned into real harm for working families, children, and seniors in Oklahoma. From public schools and healthcare to programs supporting veterans and low-income families, federal funding keeps our state running. Cutting off these resources overnight is not just irresponsible—it’s dangerous,” she said.
Federal aid freeze and its impact on Oklahoma
According to an analysis from Oklahoma Policy Institute, Oklahoma uses federal grants to support funding for health and child care services, transportation and infrastructure projects, education, housing, agriculture, the environment and community development.
In fiscal year 2022, Oklahoma received 42.8% or $14.5 billion of its total revenue from federal grants, the 13th highest share among all 50 states that year. ODP Chair Andrews warned of potential negative impacts on programs ran by Oklahoma Public Schools.
“We call on Oklahoma’s congressional delegation to stand up for our state and demand an end to this harmful freeze,” Andrews said. “Oklahomans deserve leadership that puts people over politics. The Oklahoma Democratic Party will not stand idly by while our communities suffer.”
The Oklahoma Democratic Party is calling all residents to contact their federal representatives and demand swift action to restore funding. Oklahoma Republican Governor Kevin Stitt did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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