Big Take Podcast

Trump’s Fight to Take Control of Spending From Congress

Today on the Big Take DC podcast: Trump wants to use a controversial power known as impoundment to control federal spending. Can he do that?

Donald Trump speaks with Senate Republicans at the National Republican Senatorial Committee building in Washington, DC, on June 13. — Donald Trump speaks with Senate Republicans at the National Republican Senatorial Committee building in Washington, DC, on June 13.
Photographer: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

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By Saleha Mohsin and Alex Tighe

February 4, 2025 at 9:41 PM UTC

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Trump says the president should be able to decide how to spend taxpayer money – not Congress. Part of his plan? Impoundment: A controversial maneuver that could wrest control of trillions of dollars in federal spending away from Congress.