The directive from the Office of Management and Budget that froze most federal funds on Monday had not gone through the usual approval process.

The OMB memo had directed federal agencies to pause grants and loans pending a review of compliance with the agenda of President Donald Trump.

The White House budget office on Wednesday rescinded an order freezing federal grants, according to a copy of a new memo obtained by The Washington Post, after the administration’s move to halt spending earlier this week provoked a backlash.