As we’ve been reporting, our US partner CBS News has verified a leaked government memo which orders a pause in federal assistance.

Full details of what programmes might be impacted have not yet been revealed, but here are the main points that we know so far:

• The memo details a pause in grants, loans and other federal assistance which will come into effect at 17:00 EST (22:00 GMT) Tuesday
• Medicare and Social Security benefits have specifically been mentioned as not being affected – however other details on programmes which will be covered by this pause have not been released yet
• The purpose of such a pause is set out as to review spending that may be impacted by executive orders which President Donald Trump has already signed
• It will mean both a pause in issuing new awards as well asa pause in money for existing awards
• Agencies will need to report in on which programmes have been paused by 10 February

Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from the White House

Image source, Bernd Debusmann Jr/BBC

We've got a couple of hours until Karoline Leavitt's first press briefing.

But from my perspective here at the White House, it's clear that two things will dominate today's briefing, at least at the outset: the federal assistance pause, and immigration.

There are still many questions left to be answered about the pause in federal funding, such as what programmes it applies to, and what it will mean in the long-term for those with Medicare and Social Security benefits - although, for the moment, it seems as though they will not immediately be effected.

With regards to immigration, there are still many questions to be asked on the mechanics of the clampdown against illegal immigration.

I'd like to know, for example, how much resources have been dedicated to apprehending undocumented migrants, whether they have been diverted from other law enforcement duties - as some have suggested - and how many troops will ultimately be deployed to the border.

I'm also curious about what talks with Mexico have been like, particularly with regards to taking in third-country nationals. Mexico will, by necessity, play a key role in Trump's mass deportation promises.

Stay with us for more updates.

Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from the White House

Image source, Bernd Debusmann Jr/BBC

Good morning from the White House - which is already buzzing with activity ahead of today's briefing from White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

When I arrived in the morning - about 0745 local time - I found the press area of the White House already full of reporters, discussing the upcoming briefing.

Several White House staffers were milling about the briefing room podium, discussing whether the height was appropriate.

Given how busy the White House has been since Trump took office on 20 January, today promises to be extremely hectic.

While the seats in the briefing room are assigned - including one for the BBC - I expect that the corridors and back of the room will be jammed with reporters hoping to get a question in to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Historically, it's unusual that it would take this long to conduct a first briefing, eight days into the administration.

But this administration has been anything but usual, and the President has held multiple marathon question-and-answer sessions with reporters - which Leavitt has claimed is a sign that this is the most "transparent" administration in history.