"This is not a blanket pause on federal assistance and grant programs from the Trump administration," Leavitt said during a briefing Tuesday. "The reason for this is to ensure that every penny that is going out the door is not conflicting with the executive orders and actions that this president has taken."

The pause is the latest example of how Trump is harnessing his power over the federal system to advance his conservative goals. Unlike during his first term, when Trump and many members of his inner circle were unfamiliar with Washington, this time he’s reaching deep into the bureaucracy.

In a Tuesday press briefing with the governor, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said Democratic-led states will file a lawsuit by end of day.