Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer called the firings a “chilling purge,” while GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham, a top Trump ally, acknowledged that the firings may have violated the law but said: “Just tell them you need to follow the law next time.”

While a judge has temporarily blocked an effort from the Trump administration to pause federal-assistance funding, loans and grants, questions still remain about who may be affected if the order is carried out.

President Trump is expected to sign an executive order to prioritize and free up federal funding for school choice programs, CBS News has learned.

The funding freeze could affect trillions of dollars and cause widespread disruption in health care research, education programs and other initiatives. Grants that have been awarded but not spent are also halted.

After the Trump administration announced a federal funding freeze, programs like Meals on Wheels are dealing with new uncertainty and questions, particularly those that receive government funding.

Nutrition programs that deliver food assistance to millions of U.S. families will not be affected by a White House pause on federal grants and loans, a senior official said on Tuesday. The White House's Office of Management and Budget said in a memo on Monday that federal grants and loans would be put on hold for review to ensure the programs were aligned with President Donald Trump's priorities,