White House Seeks to Cut $810M in Left-Wing Programs
White House moves to rescind $810 million in funding for programs deemed wasteful or ideologically driven.
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The White House has announced plans to rescind $810 million in taxpayer-funded programs it deems wasteful or inconsistent with its agenda. The move, known as a ‘pocket rescission,’ is the Trump administration’s second use of this controversial budget tactic, allowing the executive branch to cancel funds Congress has already appropriated.
Targeting Refugee and Immigration Services
A significant portion of the rescission—$567 million—comes from Health and Human Services (HHS) programs that provided services to refugees, asylees, and other non-citizens. The White House argued that these funds had been used for ‘pro-illegal immigration programs and Non-Governmental Organizations’ and that the administration’s border policies had left the account with excess funds.
Focus on Ideological Programs
The rescission also targets programs with ideological undertones, such as grants for foreign students and faculty, which the administration claims supported projects including doctoral dissertations on queer and transgender communities. Additionally, $28 million in HHS research grants, including studies on gender-affirming care, were cited as ‘wasteful, duplicative, and sometimes outright harmful and blatantly ideological.’
Impact on Minority Business and Legal Services
The administration also criticized the Minority Business Development Agency, citing a 2024 federal court ruling that found its funding decisions improperly relied on race. Another $10 million was to be rescinded from the Department of Homeland Security’s legal services programs for immigrants.
Legal and Political Implications
The move is already sparking a political battle with Congress over the authority to cancel appropriated funds. The administration is invoking the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which allows the president to propose rescissions. However, the Government Accountability Office has previously ruled such ‘pocket rescissions’ are not permitted under the law, emphasizing Congress’s power of the purse.
Source: Daily Wire
