The withdrawal of the federal freeze was a stunning about-face for President Donald Trump’s White House, which has so far pushed the envelope to reshape the federal government, sowing chaos and confusion in firing career civil servants, pausing foreign aid programs and offering federal workers a buyout.

The order that froze trillions of dollars of federal grants and loans was published without vetting by key officials in the White House.

It was an odyssey that started after Trump’s inauguration last Monday. Shortly after he was sworn in, the president signed a slate of executive actions targeting “wokeness”

President Donald Trump has ordered a freeze on all federal assistance loans and grants, and there has been considerable confusion over what exactly is being targeted by the wide-ranging move. A memorandum issued by the Office of Management and Budget ordered federal agencies "to identify and review all federal financial assistance programs and supporting activities consistent with the President's policies and requirements.

The Trump administration on Wednesday rescinded a sweeping directive to pause federal loans, grants and other financial assistance, a White House official said, just shortly before it was set to appear in court for a second straight day to defend the policy.

Donald Trump's administration paused federal assistance programs in order to ensure they align with his policies and spending goals

The move comes after the order sparked widespread criticism and confusion. A federal district judge had temporarily paused the freeze.

A federal judge signaled he will issue a temporary restraining order barring the Trump administration from freezing federal loans and grants.