Donald Trump’s move to pause trillions of dollars in federal grants and loans awakened widespread Democratic resistance to the new president’s second term that was felt Tuesday on Capitol Hill, in governors’ offices and in the race to helm the party’s national committee.

President Donald Trump issued a memo ordering a freezing of federal funds. After lawsuits and a federal judge issuing an injunction, the memo was rescinded.

The Trump administration on Wednesday rescinded a sweeping directive to pause federal loans, grants and other financial assistance, a White House official said, just shortly before it was set to appear in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

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

Congressional Democrats and good-government groups say President Donald Trump's Monday night directive to pause the distribution of trillions of dollars in federal grants and loans represents an immense power grab that would upend the constitutional separation of powers between different branches of government.

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

President Donald Trump rescinded an order freezing an array of federal grants, loans and financial assistance — a dramatic reversal after days of uncertainty and anxiety rocked governments and nonprofit organizations.