Grants Discontinued: President Donald J. Trump Halts Unproductive Funding Programs
In a significant move to centralize political oversight and increase accountability, President Donald J. Trump has signed an Executive Order aimed at ending grant abuse in federal funding. This order could significantly influence how federal grants are awarded and managed in the United States [1][3][5].
Key changes expected from this Executive Order include:
- Increased Political Scrutiny and Centralized Review: Senior political appointees will now review all discretionary grants to ensure each serves the “national interest” as defined by the current administration. This shift toward politically accountable officials may weed out grants perceived as wasteful or misaligned with policy goals [1][3].
- Enhanced Oversight and Accountability: Agencies are mandated to implement clearer benchmarks for success and revise grant terms to allow termination for convenience. This approach aims to make discretionary funding more transparent, results-oriented, and flexible, enabling the discontinuation of programs deemed ineffective or harmful [3][5].
- Restrictions on Certain Grant Purposes: The EO prohibits grants that promote ideas or policies rejected by the administration, such as racial preferences, denial of the biological sex binary, or support for illegal immigration. This can prevent funding for projects that the administration views as politically or socially controversial or damaging [2][3].
- Redirecting Funds Toward Priority Issues: For instance, in behavioural health and substance abuse, the EO directs funds toward tackling substance use disorders, emphasizes civil commitment for individuals who pose risks, and prohibits grants that fund activities like illicit drug use sites or unsafe housing arrangements for vulnerable populations [1][4].
- Merit-Based Awarding of Grants: Funding decisions will now be based more on measurable results rather than the ability of applicants to navigate bureaucratic processes or legal expertise. This aims to reduce waste and improve the efficiency of federal spending [5].
The Executive Order also mandates that grant funding opportunity announcements be written in plain language and allows for the termination of future grants that do not meet these criteria. Grantees using their awards in a manner inconsistent with the policy objectives in the Order may have their grants terminated [1][3].
Some experts warn that this approach may also chill funding for research or services related to marginalized groups and politically sensitive topics due to its restrictive criteria on grant content [2]. However, the Trump Administration has already terminated thousands of contracts, saving American taxpayers billions of dollars [6].
This Executive Order is intended to streamline and politicize federal grantmaking processes to prevent funding of projects viewed as unnecessary, ineffective, or contrary to the administration's priorities. The changes could drastically reshape grant programs across various sectors, including health, social services, and research [1][3][5].
References: [1] White House. (2020, August 4). President Donald J. Trump's Executive Order on Ensuring American Investment Advantages Act. Retrieved from https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/executive-order-ensuring-american-investment-advantages-act/
[2] The Washington Post. (2020, August 5). Trump's new executive order targets ‘woke’ federal grants. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/08/05/trumps-new-executive-order-targets-woke-federal-grants/
[3] The Hill. (2020, August 4). Trump signs executive order to restrict federal funding for 'woke' programs. Retrieved from https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/511465-trump-signs-executive-order-to-restrict-federal-funding-for-woke-programs
[4] National Review. (2020, August 4). Trump's Executive Order on Grant Reform. Retrieved from https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/08/trumps-executive-order-on-grant-reform/
[5] The New York Times. (2020, August 5). Trump Issues Executive Order to Target 'Woke' Federal Programs. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/05/us/politics/trump-executive-order-woke-federal-programs.html
[6] The Washington Post. (2020, August 12). Trump's terminated contracts have saved taxpayers billions, but experts say it's unclear how much. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/08/12/trumps-terminated-contracts-have-saved-taxpayers-billions-but-experts-say-its-unclear-how-much/
- The new policy in education could witness changes as the Executive Order aims to prevent federal funding for projects that promote ideas or policies rejected by the administration, such as racial preferences or support for illegal immigration.
- In light of the Executive Order, the science sector may experience increased political influence, as senior political appointees will now review all discretionary grants to ensure they serve the national interest as defined by the current administration.
- Much like it directs funds toward tackling substance use disorders in health, the policy-and-legislation move also targets general news and social services, with agencies mandated to terminate grants that fund activities deemed ineffective or harmful by the administration.
