What else to expect, the first message of reason within this thread (but, that's probably your "professional bias"…).

It is obviously a political "decision", coming directly from the head of the department, as one could assume that even the FRA has lawyers understanding the law who would have suppressed such a bulletin.

OTOH, the troubling thing is that it is apparently ok for the department to go over the law and hold back or cancel appropriated monies for political reasons. This is a very dangerous path. And for all those Hurray Brüllers… how would you react, if it happens with something concerning you directly?