It is unclear whether the pause will still take effect, given the administration's apparent U-turn and the legal challenges it faces.

The spending freeze on federal assistance could affect everything from aid to nonprofits, universities, small business loans and state and local government grants.

A Democratic strategist told NBC News that Tuesday was "the first day I actually felt good about Dem messaging in, like, six months."

Many are unclear on how sweeping the federal funding freeze is intended to be. Here are programs it could affect.

We’re already feeling the effects because [of] the uncertainty and chaos. It really isn’t clear which programs are going to be affected and which aren’t.”Meals on Wheels America President & CEO Ellie Hollander on the effect Trump’s federal funding freeze is having on her organization.