California will help lead a coalition of states in suing to block a White House budget office order halting "all federal financial assistance."

The federal government fell into chaos Tuesday as officials braced for potential interruptions to programs that range from protecting food safety to responding to natural disasters.

Presidents from both parties, including Trump, have let the budget grow and grow. The White House is trying to make changes on its own.

At least three U.S. lawmakers said on Tuesday healthcare providers were blocked from the Medicaid payment portal after the Trump administration announced a federal funding pause, even as the White House said the program was exempted.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt vehemently defended the administration’s sweeping freeze on federal aid, arguing Tuesday in her first press briefing that it was critical to scrutinize the scope of the government’s spending.

The order is "a potential five-alarm fire" for organizations that serve communities, nonprofit group executive says.