Actions that may exceed the President's constitutional authority — such as withholding congressionally appropriated funds or abolishing agencies created by law.
Showing actions from 2021–2025. View all presidents →
Executive Order 14126 ("Investing in America and Investing in American Workers") involves withholding, pausing, or freezing federal funds. The President's stated reasoning: "fair competition, stability, and efficiency on federally assisted projects." This directly implicates the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which was passed specifically to prevent presidents from refusing to spend money Congress has appropriated. Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution grants Congress the exclusive "power of the purse."
When Congress passes an appropriations bill and the President signs it into law, the executive branch is legally obligated to spend those funds for their designated purpose. Courts have consistently held that policy disagreements do not give the President authority to unilaterally withhold congressionally appropriated money. This type of action frequently prompts litigation and has been struck down by federal courts.
Executive Order 14120 ("Executive Order 14120-Advancing Women's Health Research and Innovation") involves withholding, pausing, or freezing federal funds. The President's stated reasoning: "that women have access to high-quality, evidence-based health care and to improve health outcomes for women across their lifespans and throughout the country." This directly implicates the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which was passed specifically to prevent presidents from refusing to spend money Congress has appropriated. Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution grants Congress the exclusive "power of the purse."
When Congress passes an appropriations bill and the President signs it into law, the executive branch is legally obligated to spend those funds for their designated purpose. Courts have consistently held that policy disagreements do not give the President authority to unilaterally withhold congressionally appropriated money. This type of action frequently prompts litigation and has been struck down by federal courts.
This memorandum ("National Security Memorandum on Safeguards and Accountability With Respect to Transferred Defense Articles and Defense Services") directs the withholding, freezing, or delayed spending of congressionally appropriated funds. The stated rationale: "adherence to international law and encourages other states and partners to do the same." The Impoundment Control Act of 1974 specifically prohibits this type of action. Congress passed that law in response to President Nixon's refusal to spend appropriated funds, and it remains the governing framework today.
The power of the purse belongs to Congress under Article I, Section 9. When money is appropriated by law, the executive branch is obligated to spend it as directed. A memorandum directing agencies to withhold, pause, or slow-walk spending conflicts with this constitutional structure. Courts have consistently sided with Congress in impoundment disputes.
This memorandum ("Remarks on Signing a Memorandum Establishing the White House Initiative on Women's Health Research and an Exchange With Reporters") directs the withholding, freezing, or delayed spending of congressionally appropriated funds. The stated rationale: "Categories: Addresses and Remarks : White House Initiative on Women s Health Research, signing the memorandum establishing; Interviews With the News Media : Exchanges with reporters, White House ." The Impoundment Control Act of 1974 specifically prohibits this type of action. Congress passed that law in response to President Nixon's refusal to spend appropriated funds, and it remains the governing framework today.
The power of the purse belongs to Congress under Article I, Section 9. When money is appropriated by law, the executive branch is obligated to spend it as directed. A memorandum directing agencies to withhold, pause, or slow-walk spending conflicts with this constitutional structure. Courts have consistently sided with Congress in impoundment disputes.
This memorandum ("Memorandum on Combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing and Associated Labor Abuses") directs the withholding, freezing, or delayed spending of congressionally appropriated funds. The stated rationale: "the problem of IUU fishing, including by distant water fishing vessels, and associated labor abuses, including the use of forced labor in the seafood supply chain." The Impoundment Control Act of 1974 specifically prohibits this type of action. Congress passed that law in response to President Nixon's refusal to spend appropriated funds, and it remains the governing framework today.
The power of the purse belongs to Congress under Article I, Section 9. When money is appropriated by law, the executive branch is obligated to spend it as directed. A memorandum directing agencies to withhold, pause, or slow-walk spending conflicts with this constitutional structure. Courts have consistently sided with Congress in impoundment disputes.
This memorandum ("Memorandum on Protecting Women's Health at Home and Abroad") directs the withholding, freezing, or delayed spending of congressionally appropriated funds. The stated rationale: "that women at home and around the world are able to access complete medical information, including with respect to their reproductive health." The Impoundment Control Act of 1974 specifically prohibits this type of action. Congress passed that law in response to President Nixon's refusal to spend appropriated funds, and it remains the governing framework today.
The power of the purse belongs to Congress under Article I, Section 9. When money is appropriated by law, the executive branch is obligated to spend it as directed. A memorandum directing agencies to withhold, pause, or slow-walk spending conflicts with this constitutional structure. Courts have consistently sided with Congress in impoundment disputes.
Executive Order 14008 ("Executive Order 14008-Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad") involves withholding, pausing, or freezing federal funds. The President's stated reasoning: "avoid the most catastrophic impacts of that crisis and to seize the opportunity that tackling climate change presents." This directly implicates the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which was passed specifically to prevent presidents from refusing to spend money Congress has appropriated. Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution grants Congress the exclusive "power of the purse."
When Congress passes an appropriations bill and the President signs it into law, the executive branch is legally obligated to spend those funds for their designated purpose. Courts have consistently held that policy disagreements do not give the President authority to unilaterally withhold congressionally appropriated money. This type of action frequently prompts litigation and has been struck down by federal courts.