by Patsy Writesman
The Trump administration is laser-focused on re-establishing America’s independence from DEI-driven entities. A key part of that effort involves cutting ties with bloated, unaccountable non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Freeing America from NGOs’ grip will once again make America an autonomous body rather than a marionette manipulated by outside interests. NGOs were initially meant to be unfettered by government control and serve as a bridge between state institutions and public interest. But that mandate has been perverted. Rather than acting as bridges, these entities are profit-driven and act as tools to advance the agenda of the elite. Many NGOs also siphon taxpayer dollars to push ideological activism, masquerading as humanitarian efforts or undermining state and local governments.
As businessman Marc Andreessen pointed out, “The government outsources to these NGOs the things that it’s not legally allowed to do, like violation of First Amendment rights. So, if you want to censor American citizens, what you do is you fund an outside organization.” This disturbing trend has created an environment where NGOs function as an unaccountable extension of government power—sidestepping constitutional protections and democratic oversight.
Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) has been vocal about the misuse of NGOs. Sen. Hagerty tweeted, “Democrats and Bureaucrats have been using NGOs (they used to behave as charities) to launder bad money and bad policy that they were ashamed to run through the government.” He has called out this corruption for years in the Senate and argues it has been covered up. Now, with President Trump taking action, this issue is being exposed on a national level.
At the state level, Tennessee State Senator Mark Pody (R) has introduced legislation aimed at curbing the corrupt influence of NGOs, ensuring that taxpayer dollars are not funneled into organizations that seek to undermine the Volunteer state’s sovereignty.
Rather than allowing state lawmakers to write the rules of the road, NGOs like the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) have imposed barriers that hinder insurance providers from operating in states that refuse to comply with their demands. This pay-to-play system not only imposes burdensome regulations that weigh on consumer’s wallets but also opens the door to influence from international entities like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS). These organizations have perpetuated DEI initiatives that contravene the goals of the Trump administration—such as eliminating DEI and scrutinizing funding for NGOs.
In its first weeks in office, the Trump administration has sounded the alarm about NGOs’ unchecked power. Musk has repeatedly warned that these organizations have morphed into a de facto shadow government, wielding massive influence under the guise of neutrality. The Trump administration is prepared to act, dismantling the NGO machine and severing its entanglement with federal agencies. The White House’s memo to review all agency funding of NGOs is clear evidence of President Trump’s concern with the political weaponization of groups such as the NAIC and IAIS.
The Federal Reserve, Federal Insurance Office and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation have already withdrawn from the international climate consortium called the Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS). President Trump may want to also consider removing the U.S. from the IAIS and its DEI-driven agenda. European regulators should not dictate U.S. insurance regulation. This will only hamstring U.S. innovation and give foreign insurance providers a competitive edge.
Even more concerning is the role of international “democracy” NGOs, many of which operate as financial laundromats for foreign influence. Organizations like the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have been exposed for this corruption. USAID, once intended as purely humanitarian, has long been hijacked by political operatives to interfere in foreign elections and fund left-wing causes. These groups, which expected uninterrupted funding under past administrations, now face the real prospect of budget cuts and long-overdue accountability.
For decades, NGOs have functioned as unaccountable middlemen between governments and the public, using their influence to advance progressive policies without democratic consent. They have often acted as corrupt actors, implementing policies and initiatives that would otherwise be outside constitutional boundaries. This is not just a case of well-intentioned but flawed organizations.
The time has come to expose these organizations for what they are. The Trump administration has signaled that it is time to restore America’s governmental autonomy by severing its ties with NGO-driven policy. Now is the time to reconsider all U.S. participation in NGOs, especially those that promote DEI policies that are hindering U.S. economic growth.
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Patsy Writesman is a nationally recognized health care speaker, consultant and owner of ManageHealthCareCosts.com.
NGO’s have got to go! Trump can start with Catholic Charities.