Call It What It Is — Abuse

I wrote this yesterday, just one hour before the executive order to freeze federal grants and loans was set to take effect. Thankfully, a federal judge has temporarily blocked the order, which could have had devastating consequences for many. The move was widely seen as a power grab, with some even calling it an administrative coup.

I suspect the administration may engage in some gaslighting today, that people wouldn’t fallen through the cracks, and that they wouldn’t have let that happen. Heroes of their own harm. But people did almost fall through the cracks, just hours ago. When people reveal their intentions and the actions they plan to take, it’s important to listen and believe them the first time.

When federal grants and loans freeze at 5pm today, there is not a lot of clarity about which programs will be affected, and to what degree, and for how long (though this is indefinite at the moment, unless a legal challenge stops it).

But we do know millions of people will be directly and adversely impacted. And since this freezes up to $3 trillion in our economy, this will impact all of us in one way or another.

It is calculated, and I feel it is callous. When our loved ones and neighbors can potentially lose access to food, employment, rent or utility assistance, shelter, medication, medical visits and procedures, assistance in education, or necessary programs and services provided by a variety of agencies, it is devastating. The loss of these funds falls across so-called “red states” and “blue states.” This loss doesn’t look at who you voted for (nor should it).

But these actions do seek to usurp power. And if a person holds your livelihood over you and says, “You only get this if you fall in line with giving me more power,” or “You only get this if you turn against other people,” it’s not government, it’s abuse.

My thoughts here are my own, and not representative of any community or party. But as we cascade this week into a loss of rights and potentially, ways of sustaining what we need to live, I have to speak up and say something.

— Renee Roederer