The Trump administration has been canceling grants and using other tools to avoid spending money it does not want to spend.

Posted by The Lawfare Podcast, Oct 8, 2026Checked Nov 2, 2026

Polygraph verdictTrue

Sources: 5 support1 context
Said: 1 time·
Confidence: 85%

The Lawfare PodcastOct 8, 2026

Sources as of 2026-10-08 show the Trump administration canceling grants at scale and using a 'pocket rescission' to let appropriated funds lapse, which matches the claim's core assertion. The claim is a faithful paraphrase of the post, and no source contradicts it; the Education Department's shift to subtler procedures is consistent with the 'other tools' framing.

A guest makes this claim. Listeners heard it, so it counts against the post, and on the guest's own record.

This claim is about the present, so it is judged as of the day it was checked.

What we found

Supports. An AP analysis reports the administration cut or froze up to $177 billion in federal grants across all 50 states in its second term.[1]

Supports. CBS and CNN report the White House sent an approximately $810M to $1B 'pocket rescission' in late September 2026, a tactic in which funds are effectively canceled by timing the request near the fiscal year end, which they describe as a way to avoid spending money the president does not wish to spend.[3][4]

Supports. A Boston Globe report on a court-document admission says the White House canceled grants, including Energy Department grants recommended for cancellation, and describes the budget being used as a tool against policy opponents.[5]

Supports. A Reuters report describes a federal judge temporarily blocking HUD from canceling nearly $56 million in housing counseling grants, confirming that cancellations were occurring.[2]

Context. EdWeek reports that abrupt grant cancellations have slowed, but the Education Department is using quieter procedures that result in fewer new grants, which fits the claim's 'other tools' framing.[6]