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The Office of Management and Budget released follow-up guidance explaining that the freeze covers programs connected to Trump's recent executive orders. Those orders focus on ending diversity, equity and inclusion programs, as well as the so-called "Green New Deal." 

The pause does not apply to programs that provide assistance to individuals. Medicare and Social Security were excluded in the initial memo. The Trump administration clarified that additional programs, namely Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, will continue during the freeze. 

Funding for other programs, including assistance for farmers and small businesses, Head Start and Pell grants, won't be affected by the directive. 

"The guidance establishes a process for agencies to work with OMB to determine quickly whether any program is inconsistent with the president's executive orders," the Trump administration said. "A pause could be as short as (a day). In fact, OMB has worked with agencies and has already approved many programs to continue even before the pause has gone into effect." 

The administration added, "Any payment required by law to be paid will be paid without interruption or delay." 

While programs that provide individual assistance are exempt, it remains unclear what programs could be subject to the pause. 

A separate Trump order targets two laws that were signed by former President Joe Biden — the Inflation Reduction Act, which included several environmental provisions, and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Funding from both laws will support projects that may not align with Trump's vision. However, it may be difficult for that funding to be halted. 

Before clarifying its scope, Trump's federal funding freeze faced fierce opposition. New York Attorney General Letitia James joined other attorneys general in suing to stop the pause. A separate lawsuit was filed and a federal judge blocked implementation of the freeze, which was scheduled to take effect at 5 p.m. Tuesday. 

The White House believes the freeze is necessary. 

"To act as faithful stewards of taxpayer money, new administrations must review federal programs to ensure that they are being executed in accordance with the law and the new president's policies," the Trump administration said.