The White House budget office Wednesday rescinded the federal aid freeze, according to multiple media reports citing an administration memo.

The White House Office of Management and Budget on Wednesday rescinded a memo that froze federal grants and loans and created widespread confusion this week.

The move comes after the order sparked widespread criticism and confusion. A federal district judge had temporarily paused the freeze.

Top lawmakers in Utah appeared relieved after the White House rescinded a memo to freeze federal funding Wednesday afternoon, calling the original freeze a "wake-up call" for the state.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that Social Security, Medicare and food stamps would not be affected by the decision to freeze federal aid. NBC News’ Sahil Kapur reports on the Trump administration’s first White House press briefing and whether Medicaid could be among the programs affected.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt vehemently defended the administration’s sweeping freeze on federal aid, arguing Tuesday in her first press briefing that it was critical to scrutinize the scope of the government’s spending.

That came after the first press briefing of the new Administration, which was dominated by questions about the freeze. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters,