Trump Illegally Impounds Congressional Funds
🔴 Abuse of Power ·
Jan–ongoing 2025
Summary
The Trump administration systematically refused to spend funds appropriated by Congress, a practice known as ‘impoundment’, in violation of the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (ICA), which was passed specifically to prevent unilateral presidential withholding of appropriations. OMB Director Russell Vought claimed the ICA itself is unconstitutional. By July 2025, the administration was $26 billion behind the expected pace of spending commitments. Courts repeatedly found specific impoundments unlawful. Trump and Vought also attempted to use ‘pocket rescissions’, claiming the right to rescind congressionally approved spending without an affirmative congressional vote, which the CBPP and GAO called ‘illegal.’ GOP Sen. Susan Collins joined Democrats in calling the actions unlawful.
Key Figures
Institutions Involved
Sources
- New Data Show Trump Administration’s Illegal - Targeted Withholding of Funds
- What is the Impoundment Control Act and What is GAO’s Role
- Pocket Rescissions Are Illegal