President Donald Trump signed an executive memo on Thursday that reviews all funding for nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).
The memo said Trump’s administration will stop funding NGOs that “undermine” American interest.
“The United States Government has provided significant taxpayer dollars to NGOs, many of which are engaged in actions that actively undermine the security, prosperity, and safety of the American people,” the memo says.
“I therefore direct the heads of executive departments and agencies (agencies) to review all funding that agencies provide to NGOs,” the memo continues. “The heads of agencies shall align future funding decisions with the interests of the United States and with the goals and priorities of my Administration, as expressed in executive actions; as otherwise determined in the judgment of the heads of agencies; and on the basis of applicable authorizing statutes, regulations, and terms.”
This memo follows the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)’s funding pause and a cut to its employees. USAID’s workforce went from 10,000 down to 294.
The Department of Government Defiencieny has investigated USAID and how it has wasted American taxpayer dollars.
According to Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, “American taxpayers have paid $1.5 million to advance DEI in Serbia workplaces,” “$70,000 for the production of a DEI musical in Ireland,” “$47,000 for a trans opera in Colombia, and “$32,000 for a trans comic book in Peru.”
“I don’t know about you, but as an American taxpayer, I don’t want my dollars going toward this crap, and I know the American people don’t either,” she said on Monday. “That’s exactly what Elon Musk has been tasked by President Trump to do. To get the fraud, waste, and abuse out of our federal government.”
Karoline Leavitt got asked why USAID is getting shut down, & she STUNNED them by giving them a lecture about where the money’s been going
– $1.5 million to advance DEI in Serbia workplaces
– $70,000 for the production of a DEI musical in Ireland
– $47,000 for a trans opera in… pic.twitter.com/4W3Hn7K9we— DOGE NEWS- Department of Government Efficiency (@realdogeusa) February 3, 2025
On Thursday, Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) named additional items American taxpayer money was spent on.
The list included “$45 million for DEI scholarships in Burma,” “$3 million for girls centered climate action in Brazil,” “$2 million for sex changes in Guatemala,” and “$280,000 for diverse birdwatchers.”
Senator Eric Schmitt (MO) breaks down some of the insane spending:
– $45 million for DEI scholarships in Burma
– $3 million for girls centered climate action in Brazil
– $125 million to racialize public health
– $280,000 for diverse birdwatchers
– $1.5 million for DEI in Serbia… pic.twitter.com/fcPr7rIiPI— DOGE NEWS- Department of Government Efficiency (@realdogeusa) February 6, 2025
Furthermore, Tammy Bruce, the spokeswoman for the State Department, said the pause on USAID funding has allowed it to “prevent unjustified and non-emergency spending.”
According to Bruce, a few items listed that were stopped from being spent were $16 million on gender programs, $4 million for “Climate-Positive Development,” and $600,000 on technical assistance for family planning in Latin America.
The Trump administration faces a lawsuit for the USAID cuts.
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Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of The Star News Network. Email tips to Zachery at [email protected]. Follow Zachery on Twitter @zacheryschmidt2.