EPA Halts Grant Programs, Tells Employees to Remain Silent
Sources within the agency say it has been instructed to freeze all grants.
Sources within the EPA have said the agency has frozen its grant programs, according to multiple reports. The staff has been instructed by the new Trump administration to freeze all grants and not discuss it with anyone outside the agency via reports or social media. The president also signed executive orders Jan. 24 supporting continued construction of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines, if new negotiations are satisfactory.
It is unknown whether the freeze is indefinite or temporary as transitions to the Trump administration are happening. Scott Pruitt, President Trump's pick for EPA administrator, has not yet been confirmed by the Senate.
Other agencies, such as the USDA, are reporting similar instructions. The Trump office has yet to respond to these reports.